GOVT URGED TO LIST VICTIMS OF WAR ON DRUGS

Amnesty International has called for the government to reveal the
identities of 2,245 people it claims were killed in a bloody crackdown
on drugs earlier this year.

The human rights watchdog said in a report released yesterday a list
of victims would allow relatives and activists to monitor the progress
of investigations into the killings, information on which was
currently very scarce.

Somsri Hananuntasuk, a board member of Amnesty's local branch,
questioned the integrity of two committees that had been set up to
investigate the killings.

``The government has failed to initiate independent, impartial,
effective and prompt investigations into these killings,'' she said.

Amnesty also claimed the climate of fear created by the killings had
stopped witnesses from coming forward, and victims' relatives from
seeking information on investigations.

Legal expert Somchai Homla-or said the principles of human rights and
democracy had been eroded under the leadership of Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra, as evidenced by the drugs crackdown.

``Police have admitted suspects were killed by fellow officers and
government officials,'' he said.

Interior Minister Wan Muhamad Nor Matha attempted to play down
Amnesty's claims, saying the rights watchdog had exaggerated the
number of deaths during the campaign.

The official toll stood at 1,766, he said.

Mr Wan Nor claimed investigations into each death were ongoing, saying
authorities had already passed on half the cases to
prosecutors.

Amnesty issued its report one day after lambasting the government for
its alleged rights abuses.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra replied yesterday by saying the
London-based agency lacked accurate information.

``Don't listen too much to them,'' he said.

Also in its report, Amnesty questioned the government's ban on public
rallies during last month's Apec summit.

Mr Thaksin said the world leaders who attended the forum understood
why the security measures were put in place, and urged the public not
to over-react to the watchdog's comments.