A Public Statement from Buddhist Network for Peace
23 August Bombing Incident Near Southern View Hotel, Pattani
Underlines the Need to Protect Civilians
At 2240 and 2300 on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, two bombs exploded near the Southern View Hotel in Pattani Province, killing a civilian, Miss Orapan Sriruenhat, 35, from Ubonratchathani Province in the northeastern Thailand, and wounding at least 30 people. The injured included 2 girls, 25 women, and 3 men.
The Buddhist Network for Peace, a civilian body, hereby condemns this and other acts of violence that violate the human rights and humanitarian principles that must be upheld by all parties to the southern conflict. Civilians are neither parties to the conflict, nor the enemies of any conflicting parties.
Instigating fear among the population and disrupting the economy of the three provinces of the Deep South seriously impacts the livelihoods of Thai Buddhists, Thai Muslims, and people of all faiths who have been living harmoniously together for generations.
The Buddhist Network for Peace expresses our deepest condolences for the victims, their families and friends, and all those affected by this incident. We demand that:
1. The perpetrators of the bombing should claim responsibility, while those suspected but not involved should, through any means, indicate that they are not responsible;
2. Stop targeting civilians who are not parties in the conflict.
3. Both parties to the conflict should proceed quickly with peace talks to demonstrate their sincerity and concern for the people of the Deep South.
4. Both parties (state and those with opposing views) must keep civilians out of this conflict.
The Buddhist Network for Peace strongly promotes peaceful resolution, condemns the use of violence, and supports peace talks between both parties. “Peace or happiness must proceed”
Buddhist Network for Peace
24 August 2016
