National Human Rights Commission to bring Thaksin before ICC for crimes committed during the 2003 Thai war on drugs

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) plans to pursue a crimes against humanity case against ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra in connection with his government's war on drugs 11 years ago, in which more than 2,500 drug suspects were killed.

NHRC member Niran Pitakwatchara said even though Thailand is not a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), there is still an avenue to pursue the case.

He will lead a delegation to The Hague in the Netherlands by the end of the year to meet the president of the ICC to discuss ways to bring Thaksin to justice.

Mr Niran commented after meeting with those affected by the drug suppression campaign.

The commission will seek ways to press legal action against those responsible for the acts of violence.

Mr Niran commented after meeting with those affected by the drug suppression campaign. The commission will seek ways to press legal action against those responsible for the acts of violence.

Information from the meetings will be used to research how the war on drugs has affected human rights and a report will be presented to agencies to support efforts to rehabilitate victims, Mr Niran said.

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