UN Experts Urge Thailand to Prevent Impunity in 2004 Tak Bai Incident as Statute of Limitations Nears

The experts acknowledged progress in two criminal cases related to the incident, with arrest warrants recently issued against current and former officials.

Human rights experts expressed grave concern over the imminent expiration of the statute of limitations on 25 October 2024, which threatens to halt ongoing efforts to hold those responsible for the deaths of 85 people in the 2004 Tak Bai incident accountable. The incident involved Thai security forces who, in October 2004, opened fire on a protest outside the Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat Province. Following this, 1,370 protestors, many of whom were from the Malay Muslim minority, were detained and transported in inhumane conditions that led to the deaths of 78 more individuals. In addition, seven people were reportedly forcibly disappeared.

The experts acknowledged progress in two criminal cases related to the incident, with arrest warrants recently issued against current and former officials. However, they expressed deep concern that without urgent action by the Thai government, these cases may be terminated as the statute of limitations nears. They emphasized that Thailand’s human rights obligations require ongoing investigation, prosecution, and reparations for victims, with international law prohibiting statutes of limitations in cases involving torture and enforced disappearance.

“After two decades, families still await justice and accountability,” the experts stated, urging immediate government action to protect the rights to truth, justice, and reparations. They also called for continued investigations into the fate of the seven individuals who disappeared, as international human rights standards require continued investigation until their fates are known.

The UN experts recently communicated their concerns to the Thai Government, highlighting the global imperative to uphold justice for victims and to support the rights of affected families.