APSN | Yingluk's Bahrain trip insults the memory of Red Shirts shot by the military two years ago

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Yingluk's Bahrain trip insults the memory of Red Shirts shot by the military two years ago

Red Thai Socialist - May 15, 2012

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Giles Ji Ungpakorn – Thai Prime Minister Yingluk's trip to meet the Butcher of Bahrain is an insult to the heroes of democracy in Thailand and in Bahrain. This trip comes on the second anniversary of the deliberate shooting of pro-democracy Red Shirts by the Military in Bangkok. It also comes a few days after the death of political prisoner Aakong in a Thai jail. He was sentenced to prison for lhse majeste.

Yingluk's Pua Thai Government is signing trade agreements with the Bahrain dictatorship over the dead bodies of pro-democracy activists in Manama. At home it is talking "reconciliation" by shaking the blood-stained hands of the Thai generals. Taksin and the Yingluk Government have promised that no one will have to stand trial for the Rachprasong murders two years ago. At the same time the Government has increased the use of lhse majeste against political dissidents. It has set its face against any reform or repeal of this barbaric law. Prisoners facing trial for lhse majeste, such as Somyot Pruksa Kasemsuk, are denied bail.

The actions of the Yingluk Government since it was elected last year mean that it has shown its true ugly face. It is a face which lacks any basic democratic principles. It is a face which puts business and power before human rights.

The world knows about the crimes of the Bahrain regime. More than 60 activists have been killed. Human Rights Watch has condemned systematic torture of political prisoners. Political prisoner Abdulhadi Alkhawaja is on hunger strike in protest at his unfair trial and sentencing by a military court.

Yingluk's visit is yet another stain on Thailand and the fact that nearly all Thai human rights activists have remained silent about this visit is shameful.