Forum-Asia, a regional human rights organisation based in Bangkok, has lauded the setting up of an independent committee by the Thai government to investigate the recent violence in the south but urged for it to be expanded to the motives of the protests.

The group had held a closed-door meeting on Nov 1 with government officials, the military, police, religious leaders, relatives of the deceased in Tak Bai and independent organisations.

"It is cause for satisfaction that the various issues raised at the meeting were reported in the media and discussed as long term solutions to the problems of the three southern border provinces," the organisation said in a statement dated yesterday.

Since early this year, more than 414 people have been killed in the Muslim-majority southern provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala.

Forum-Asia had some further points for the government's reflection in its bid to control the violence, restore order in the south and address the reasons behind the killings.

"The scope of the investigation (by the independent committee) should be expanded to include the motives of the protest gathering and should discuss the relation between the demands of the protesters and their arrest by the military," the organisation added.

It encouraged more civil society organisations to be involved in determining the truth behind the events and lauded the resignation of a high-ranking military officer in light of the incident.

"Concerning economic, social, and political solutions, the government should closely consult with Muslim leaders, both at the provincial as well as at the local levels, to assure that the proposed solutions are compatible with Muslim culture and the viewpoints of local communities," it added.

Lesson for Malaysia

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Bar Council released a statement condemning the violence both on the part of the authorities and subsequent civilian retaliations.

"The Bar Council joins many quarters in Malaysia in expressing concern and outrage over the inhumane treatment of demonstrators in that incident," said its chairperson Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari.

He also took the Thai military to task for its excuse that they acted against the protestors because the protest was illegal.

"The Bar Council also deplores all acts of vengeance or violent retaliation, such as the beheading of a deputy village chief in an apparent revenge killing. The culprits must be brought to justice," he added while urging restrains and tolerance from all quarters.

Relating the incident to Malaysia, he said there were valuable lessons to be learnt not only by the Thai government.

"The vocal and open reaction by our (Malaysian) government to the incident will only make sense if it signifies our government's recognition to the right of participation in peaceful demonstrations," he noted.