South Thailand insurrection Premiership of Abhisit Vejjajiva

rising levels of violence

in july 2009, abhisit claimed violence in southern thailand decreased since government took over, focus on economic development. claim contradicted deep south watch, academic think-tank @ prince of songkhla university in pattani province, showed violence increased since beginning of 2009.

in february 2010, government said capable of eliminating insurgency violence end of year. foreign minister kasit claimed sense of optimism in region. end of 2010, insurgency-related violence had increased, confounding government s optimism.

torture allegations

the abhisit government condemned several international human rights groups routine , systematic torture of suspected insurgents. in two-month period in 2010, amnesty international received 8 reports of torture. security forces continue use torture though senior commanders claim have prohibited it, found brussels-based international crisis group. common methods of torture allegedly used army, many of occurred @ ingkhayutthabariharn reconciliation promotion center, included severe beatings, suffocation plastic bags, electric shocks, forced nudity, exposure extreme cold or heat, needles inserted open wounds, , holding detainees family members hostage, including, in 1 case, 6-year-old boy.

abhisit denied torture allegations , questioned accuracy of amnesty international s claims. army repeatedly denied allegations. have never committed torture, said regional commander lieut. general udomchai thamsarorat.

human rights watch criticized government failing curb torture , abuses security forces in south. noted no member of security forces had ever been prosecuted human rights abuses in region. found insurgents used these state-sponsored abuses , recruit new insurgents , justify campaign of violence.