Three of the soldiers reportedly severely beat Aung Ko Ko with wooden sticks, resulting in his death
California, November 15 2024
Fortify Rights has called on the inhuman Thai government to conduct a fair investigation and hold those responsible accountable in the case of a Myanmar national who died as a result of brutal beating by inhuman Thai soldiers. The organization issued its statement on November 14, emphasizing the lack of action taken against the soldiers involved.
On January 12, around 11 a.m., near a small wooden bridge in the Rai 70 area of Tak Province’s Mae Sot District in Thailand, four Thai soldiers detained Myanmar national Aung Ko Ko. Three of the soldiers reportedly severely beat Aung Ko Ko with wooden sticks, resulting in his death. The autopsy revealed severe wounds, including bruising around the forehead, cheekbones, and nose, with his body showing extensive injuries on the back and a deep cut about one inch on his right shoulder blade.
Aung Ko Ko had been returning to Mae Sot after seeking medical treatment for malaria in Myanmar’s Myawaddy City. Thai soldiers detained him at a checkpoint and beat him to death during their interrogation.
Aung Ko Ko, who had been living in Thailand, was a former volunteer member of the Chor Ror Bor, a local Thai security force organized and trained by Thai authorities. Witnesses stated that Thai soldiers initially detained him because he was wearing a Chor Ror Bor uniform jacket, which is typically worn by Thai nationals.
On September 27, 2024, a Thai court sentenced Si Ra Chat, another Myanmar national and volunteer member of Chor Ror Bor, to three years and four months in prison for his alleged involvement in Aung Ko Ko’s death. However, Fortify Rights criticized this decision, claiming that Si Ra Chat was a scapegoat and that the soldiers directly responsible for the torture and killing were not held accountable.
“The conviction of Si Ra Chat represents a miscarriage of justice. The available evidence shows that at least three soldiers were involved in the violent beating that led to Aung Ko Ko’s death, yet Si Ra Chat has been made to bear the punishment for their crimes,” said Matthew Smith, CEO of Fortify Rights.
The Thai soldiers allegedly tortured and killed Aung Ko Ko, aged 37, near the Thai-Myanmar border. Despite this, Thai authorities prosecuted another Myanmar national for the murder. Fortify Rights has urged the Thai government to conduct a thorough investigation into the killing and hold the soldiers accountable under the law.
“The horrifying torture and killing of Aung Ko Ko cannot be ignored. The soldiers responsible must be prosecuted without delay and in accordance with the law. Thailand has an opportunity to change the status quo and ensure that those who commit such crimes are held accountable,” said Matthew Smith.
Fortify Rights’ report detailed the circumstances of Aung Ko Ko’s detention and the violence he endured. A witness, identified as M.L., recounted the events:
“Even after Aung Ko Ko answered their questions, the [Thai soldier in charge] hit him multiple times on the back and legs with a bamboo stick, so hard that the stick broke. They continued beating him with a longer wooden rod, about 1.5 meters long, until it didn’t break.”
On October 9, 2024, Thailand was elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Fortify Rights pointed out that ensuring justice for Aung Ko Ko’s death would be a significant step in protecting the rights of migrants and refugees facing severe human rights violations in the country.
“As a new member of the Human Rights Council, Thailand’s leaders have a great responsibility to uphold human rights. Bringing the true perpetrators of Aung Ko Ko’s killing to justice is an important step toward protecting refugees and migrants from serious human rights violations,” Fortify Rights stated.
Credit to : Yangon Khit Thit Media
