Thailand claims success in war on drugs, but deaths raise alarm
Thailand claims success in war on drugs, but deaths raise alarm
Agence France-Presse, Bangkok
Thailand said on Wednesday its 19-day crackdown on drugs is reaping rewards, but any successes are being overshadowed by the nearly 600 deaths in the campaign and accusations of extra- judicial killings.
Six government ministries reviewing the anti-drugs campaign launched on Feb. 1 said trafficking was being curbed, corrupt officials were being identified and thousands of addicts and peddlers were surrendering.
"They agreed it had progressed well... the trafficking has slowed down and the addicts have reported themselves for rehabilitation," Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) deputy secretary general Chartchai Suthiklom told AFP.
But it is the staggering death toll of 596 people killed in the campaign that has claimed most attention in this war on drugs.
The interior ministry said Tuesday police had killed eight people in self-defense and another 588 were traffickers killed by other drug gang members.
This is the latest toll released by the authorities, with some commentators saying the figures appeared to be fluid and could eventually be revised downwards.
Human rights groups have expressed increasing concern about the death toll, with many questioning how there could be no arrests for the alleged killings among traffickers.
Diplomats on Wednesday warned that Thailand's brutal war on drugs, in which nearly 600 suspects have been killed, could turn into a "slaughter" prompting international condemnation if authorities are unable or unwilling to stem the violence.
"At the outset, Thaksin's (Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's) objective was rather laudable, but then we were stupefied when we discovered the tolls," one diplomat told AFP.
"If the toll is really between 400 and 600 dead now, and if it goes on like that, it is going to be a slaughter which will have considerable national and international consequences."
The premier has had a free hand in dictating the scope of the campaign against traffickers, but diplomats and other analysts say he may soon come under increasing pressure to explain his policies.
"European Union countries are looking into the matter," a second diplomat said.
"There are strong reservations (by the EU), especially on extra-judicial killings, which is a very sensitive matter, particularly for the Nordic states."
Amnesty International has said authorities should send a clear signal that extra-judicial killings should not be tolerated.
Chartchai said the deaths were "not an issue" as up to 600 people were killed in Thailand every day, even when the drugs crackdown was not in operation. Thaksin has said police involvement in the killings would be investigated.