Just a few days ago we posted on AI USA’s action page on Thailand. They then made a simple and appropriate call: “No excessive force against protesters in Thailand.” There was a link that allowed readers to send notes to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. Within a few days it was gone. No explanation was provided.

In our post on the AI USA call, we stated: “… PPT is pleased to see this call is that AI has been awful on human rights issues in Thailand … since the coup in 2006. One reason for this is that its [AI’s] people in Thailand have been dominated by pro-yellow shirt activists. That appears to continue to be the case, so AI USA is to be applauded for standing up for human rights.”

Now AI is back to square 1 or even before that if their websites are anything to go by. Until about 0.01 GMT, the AI website in Thailand had nothing up since 8 April. A search for “Thailand” on the AI main office page turned up nothing on Thailand since 7 April. At AI USA, although the latest reports and statements are posted, no actions are posted. Nothing at all at Take Action Online for Thailand. That is now changing as a new statement goes up at various AI sites.

Prachatai produced the new AI statement on Thailand (see it at AI Australia). AI have again shown themselves to be a hopeless organization for Thailand. Sure they call for all sides to respect human rights and for the right to peaceful demonstration, and PPT applauds this sentiment. Even so, the statement remains deeply flawed. Two examples among several:

“Amnesty International welcomes the Thai government’s pledge to investigate promptly, effectively, and impartially the recent violence, and urges it to provide accountability for any violations by security forces as well as abuses by violent protesters.” The statement is flawed by not calling for an independent investigation. In fact, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva initially said there would be such an investigation, but quickly dropped the idea as the government blamed red shirts and “mystery men” for all violence.

“Most members and factions of the UDD, commonly known as ‘Red Shirts’ … are supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin, who was deposed in a 2006 coup d’etat . Thaksin, who is currently in voluntary exile, faces numerous allegations of serious human rights violations.” This statement is flawed by its patronizing gloss on the motivations of hundreds of thousands of red shirts.

AI and its membership should be ashamed of its pathetic efforts on Thailand.