The United front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD Red throughout the Land) th 2539, 5 floor Imperial World

Department Store, Lad Proa Road, Wangthonglang, Bangkok, Thailand 10310, Tel. +662-934-9481 Fax. +662-934-9467

10th August 2013 Subject: In response to the press briefing of the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Human Right Watch organization To: The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights : Human Rights Watch (HRW) In reference to UDD letter on 6th August 2012 which questioned the validity of the finding and credibility of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT). 1. The concerns of your organization regarding the Amnesty Bill currently being discussed in Thailands Parliament that it should exclude people involved in serious human rights abuses during the political violence in April and May 2010 is parallel with the position of the UDD and the majority of the country. This is because the proposed Amnesty Bill clearly state, Amnesty for the people of all colors shirts except for co-leaders in command. Most importantly, this bill does not grant immunity for any state authorities as concerned, therefore, we would like you to reevaluate your interpretation of this bill. The court findings and results of the investigation into the deaths of civilians between April May 2010 confirmed that there is enough evidences to prosecute state authorities and security officers. Twelve victims have been found to have been shot dead by bullets fired from soldiers acting under orders from the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES). Further investigation finds out that none of the victims were armed. The case in point right now is the six bodies found inside Prathum Wanaram Temple. The court ruled that the six victims were shot dead by state security officers. According to the evidences and witnesses, there was no exchanged of gun fire in the area, there was no presence of men in Black Shirts, there were no gunshot residues on the victims hands and the weapons that was found inside the temple complex are unlikely to be properties of the protestors. 2. Regarding the call for the Thai Government to act on the TRCTs recommendations; In reference to UDD letter on 25 October 2012 which expressed the UDD opinions on the report and credibility of the TRCT.

The letter questioned the credibility of the TRCT because it was created on June 7th 2010, less than a month after the violent crackdown, by the government of former PM Abhisit Vijjajiva and Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, head of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) in 2010 who ordered the using of live ammunition on protestors and deployed snipers to shoot down civilians. Not only that the TRCT was created by Mr. Suthep, its president was also appointed by him. These arrangements are contradicting to the normal practice of the international community and therefore the TRCT report should not be used as a reference for what really happened in May 2010. Apart from this, the latest Criminal Court findings on cases of victims in 2010 crackdown also ruled against the final report of the TRCT. For these reasons, we would like to addressed to international human rights organizations that the TRCT and its final report did not gain credibility from the majority of Thai people because its findings are contradicting to the truth and some members of the TRCT was also affiliated with the opposition group. Even though some suggestions for reconciliation by the TRCT were merit but its truth seeking process was proved to be unreliable and hidden with negative agenda toward people who were abused, crackdown, killed and incarcerated. The intention of this letter is to respectfully express our side of the story which is differs to the information that you have received from the TRCT. Best Regards,

Tida Tavonseth