Thailand must investigate murder of environmental activists
The Thai government should immediately launch an investigation into the murder of Prajob Nao-opas, a prominent environmental activist in Chachoengsao province. That says the human rights organization Human Rights Watch.
On February 25, Prajob, 43, was shot four times while waiting at a garage where his car was being repaired. According to witnesses, he died while being taken to hospital with serious injuries. The attackers escaped in a car.
“The cold-blooded murder of Prajob is yet another example of the fundamental inability of Thai authorities to protect activists who risk their lives while protecting their communities,” said Brad Adams, HRW Asia director. "The government must launch a serious investigation to bring those responsible for his death to justice, regardless of the status or political affiliations of the killers."
Prajob has been leading villagers' protests against toxic waste dumping in the region since early last year. Hazardous chemicals from coastal companies are dumped on higher ground, releasing substances such as the carcinogenic phenol into waterways and lakes.
Despite several demonstrations, the Thai government did little until the protests made national media coverage in August last year. Only then did the Justice Department announce an investigation into the chemical dumps.
In December last year, the police warned Prajob that his life was in danger. He reported several times that he was followed and photographed by men on a motorcycle. The government did nothing to guarantee the man's safety.
Sloppy police work
More than 2001 human rights and environmental activists have been murdered in Thailand since 20. In barely XNUMX percent of the cases, a suspect is accused. If convicted, it's usually a low-level accomplice, such as the driver of the getaway car, Human Rights Watch says. “The investigations are notable for lackluster, inconsistent and inefficient policing, and a reluctance to examine the links between political influences and the interests behind the assassinations.”
The government is also not doing enough to protect witnesses to the murders. “The often willful negligence and corruption of government officials makes activists a target,” says Adams. “They get death threats but lack any protection. The Thai government should immediately investigate and punish the murder of Prajob and many other environmental activists before more courageous activists are murdered.”
Source: IPS