May 17 to 27, 1980 in South Korea and May 18 to 20, 1992 in Thailand: two different events, one common cause - to fight for freedom and democracy against a government led by a military general. In those days in both countries, thousands of people protested against their respective governments which denied them their civil and political rights. The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) joins with the members of the May 18 Memorial Foundation and the Relatives Committee of the May 1992 Heroes in paying tribute to all those who died, survived and disappeared in both the Gwangju Democratization Movement and Black May 1992 protests in South Korea and Thailand. They fought for their rights and those of the future generation. They are an inspiration to all of us who continue to work for a truly democratic and genuinely pro-people government in our respective countries.
To recall, in Gwangju, South Korea in 1980, the people initiated nationwide demonstrations against the dictatorial government of Army General Chun Doo-hwan. It was a popular democratic uprising that demanded an end to martial law, academic and press freedom, and minimum wage standards, among other issues.[i] The protesters were attacked by the army and police, fired upon, some even clubbed to death. There were 4,369 recorded victims: 154 killed, 74 disappeared, 4,141 wounded (including those who died from their wounds) and arrested.[ii]
The South Korean people value the lessons of the Gwanju Democratic Movement and acknowledged it as the “cornerstone of Korean democracy, an inspiring stand for human freedom and dignity.”[iii] Since 1983, an annual memorial service, which was officially declared in 1997, is held every 18th of May.
In the case of Thailand, 200,000 people marched to the streets to oppose the installation by Parliament of Army General Suchinda Kraprayoon as Prime Minister. The protesters were water cannoned, beaten and fired upon by the army and police. There are varied reports of victims, but The Relatives Committee reported that 22 died, 293 disappeared, 47 seriously injured and 505 wounded.[iv] Another report pegged those killed to 44 with more than 500 injured and 38 missing[v]. Over 3,500 people were reported arrested; hundreds of them were women and children. [vi]
The protests were perceived to have led to “a new, liberal-minded 1997 Constitution… helped foster a burgeoning civic society and a press freer than almost any in South East Asia.[vii] A memorial site is being constructed by government in honor of the victims.
These two historical events showed us that democratic reforms are gains of a people’s collective struggle for change. They are not given on a silver platter. Participants of democratic movements may get arrested, tortured, killed or disappeared in the course of the struggle.
Governments who benefit from these changes are morally bounded to honor, give justice and indemnify the victims. The succeeding governments of South Korea, through public pressure, enacted laws to honor and address the justice claims of the victims and their families. An investigation was done and the perpetrators were put to trial and convicted. However, there are still questions left unanswered and the Korean people believe that “inevitably the truth will be disclosed in detail through the power of justice.”[viii]
The Thai government on the other hand formed several committees and investigations were conducted, some of their results were made public. However, no one has been named responsible for ordering the troops to open fire on the protesters.[ix] Recently, a sub-committee on investigation and compensation of victims of disappearances under the Ministry of Justice was formed. On 9 July 2012, the Thai government signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPAPED).
Today, AFAD again calls on the Thai government to expedite the process of its ratification of the Convention. The victims and families of those who disappeared during the May 1992 democracy protests have long been waiting for justice. The AFAD also calls on the South Korean government to sign and ratify the Convention.
Finally, AFAD calls on both the Thai and South Korean governments to be truly transparent in digging the truth behind the firing of participants of both the Gwangju Democratic Movement and May 1992 democracy protesters. Accountability is crucial to end impunity. Let this be your lasting tribute to the victims.
Notes:
[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwangju_massacre
[ii] The May 18 Memorial Foundation, accessed from http://eng.518.org/ease/menu.es?mid=a50202000000
[iii] The May 18 Memorial Foundation, accessed from http://eng.518.org/ease/menu.es?mid=a50202000000
[iv] Valerio, Daisy. Injustice in the land of beauty. Accessed from http://www.afad-online.org/healingwounds/bk_injustice_in_the_land_of_beauty.htm
[v] http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/black-may-1992.html
[vi] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_May_(1992)
[vii] Ingram, Simon in ”Thailand looks back to black May”, accessed from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1992450.stm
[viii] http://eng.518.org/ease/menu.es?mid=a50204000000
[ix] Amnesty International, Thailand:10 years later, still no justice for May 1992 victims http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details_p.asp?NewsID=13953
Signed by:
Mugiyanto
Chairperson
Mary Aileen Bacalso
Secretary General