On November 20, 2024, insurgents in southern Thailand launched a grenade attack at a Guanyin statue construction site, injuring three individuals. This assault marks a significant escalation in targeting non-Islamic sites, with threats issued against Thai and Myanmar workers. Human Rights Watch condemned the attack as a war crime, urging accountability from both insurgents and Thai authorities.
In a shocking act of violence, separatist insurgents targeted civilians in southern Thailand on November 20, 2024. The attack, involving grenades, occurred at a construction site for a towering statue of the Chinese goddess Guanyin, marking the first strike against a non-Islamic religious site in five years. Two workers and a nine-year-old girl were injured, and the attack incited fears among the local population, especially as insurgents threatened further violence against Thai Buddhist and Myanmar workers.
The recent grenade assault reflects ongoing tensions in southern Thailand, where local ethnic Malay Muslims have voiced strong opposition to the statue project, fearing it symbolizes increasing Chinese influence and the controversial development of industrial estates. Traditionally, insurgents have targeted Buddhist temples and symbols, seeking to assert control over what they consider their traditional territory. Despite peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), violence continues, highlighting a deep-seated and multifaceted conflict.
The grenade attack underscores the urgent need for all parties involved to observe the laws of war and prioritize civilian safety. Both insurgent groups and Thai authorities must curtail their violation of human rights to break the cycle of violence that has afflicted this region for two decades. The effective prosecution of those responsible for human rights violations is imperative to establish accountability and restore peace.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
