CALL TO STRIP PM OF DRUG AWARD

A coalition of 51 human rights and health organisations has called on the
Municipal Council of L'Aquila and Instituzi Perdonanza Colestniana to
withdraw the 2004 International Forgiveness Award given to Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Thaksin was named as the recipient of the award for "his government's
treatment of drug abusers as patients rather than criminals".

The award was presented to the prime minister during his trip to Italy last
month.

The group, which comprises Thai and international organisations, said
systematic and brutal human rights violations took place during the
government's war on drugs under Mr Thaksin's leadership.

The group claimed within three months 2,275 alleged drug offenders were
shot dead in apparent extra-judicial executions.

The National Human Rights Commission said 123 complaints about drug-related
extra-judicial killing were lodged during Feb 20-Mar 7 last year.

According to the group, the Italian agency "either failed to ascertain the
facts or chose to ignore them" in giving the reward to Mr Thaksin.