Calls for justice were raised today for an elderly bystander who died of injuries sustained months ago at a pro-democracy protest.
Mana Hongthong, 64, died Saturday of complications of head injuries seven months after he was shot in the head by a rubber bullet by crowd control police fighting pro-democracy protestors in Din Daeng, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights announced yesterday.
“This is once again a violation of human rights by the violent dispersal of protests by officials, resulting in serious damage to people who weren’t even involved in the event,” lawmaker Bencha Saengchantra of the opposition Move Forward Party wrote in a tweet. “Are any officers punishable under the law? The Thai state continues to allow this culture of impunity.”
The legal advocacy group said Mana, an innocent bystander, was rushed to a hospital for treatment after he was shot mid-August and later released, but had since fallen ill.
His death marked the second fatality resulting from last year’s protests, which sought to remove the military from power and reform the monarchy. The public has rightfully sparked outrage, with some questioning whether police will be held responsible.
“My condolences to the uncle’s family. I hope that those who use excessive violence will be held accountable in all cases committed by the state,” Saturnlyy tweeted.
On the night of Aug. 15, protesters had gathered outside Bangkok’s Din Daeng Police Station, where officers were seen opening fire on them from the station. Warit Somnoi, 15, was shot in the back of the neck and died in October after three months in intensive care.
The metro police bureau denied firing live bullets into the crowd, saying its officers only used rubber bullets..
The protest movement faded with the resurgence of COVID-19.
“Many people may have forgotten about the protests after the arrival of COVID,” Jubnungmareview tweeted. “But Warit Somnoi and Mana Hongthong were two lives lost at the protests. Until now, their killers are still out there. Can we find justice for them?”
Related
Thai police deny shooting protesters with live bullets after man shot in the neck
Reader Interactions