Thailand: Killing of prominent Human rights defender Roning Dolah

The Observatory has been informed about the killing of Mr Roning Dolah, a prominent Malay Muslim human rights defender in Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces (SBPs). Roning, 45, was a coordinator with the Duay Jai Group, a local organisation supported by the United Nations (UN) Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. The group focuses on investigating cases of torture and enforced disappearance in the SBPs, providing crucial rehabilitation support for torture survivors

On June 25, 2024, at approximately 8:45 PM, Roning was fatally shot by two unidentified assailants in front of his home in Yarang District, Pattani Province. His wife and seven-year-old daughter were present at the scene and witnessed his murder. Law enforcement and military personnel recovered 28 bullet casings at the scene.

The Observatory recalls that Roning was detained five times between 2007 and 2017 under the special laws that have been in force in the SBPs and was reportedly subjected to torture by military officers during two of those detentions in 2007 and 2017. The special laws, namely the Martial Law, the Emergency Decree, and the Internal Security Act, grant broad powers to security and military forces in the region, allowing for prolonged detention without charges and judicial oversight, as well as searches without warrants, often leading to human rights abuses and fostering an atmosphere of fear and repression. Accountability for such abuses, including torture, enforced disappearance, and arbitrary detentions, remains elusive with no prosecutions against security forces initiated to date.

Roning’s personal experience as a torture survivor fuelled his commitment to helping others who suffered a similar fate. From 2015 to 2019, he participated in a mental and physical rehabilitation program. He joined the Duay Jai Group, where he coordinated community activities and handled complaints from victims of torture and arbitrary detention. Due to his human rights work, he faced continuous harassment, including unwarranted visits by military personnel to his residence.

Roning’s death occurred just before the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26, 2024. His killing is the latest deadly incident in the SBPs, which have been plagued by violent insurgent attacks and widespread human rights violations by security forces. According to Deep South Watch, at least 7,594 individuals have been killed in the SBPs from January 2004 to April 2024.

The Observatory strongly condemns the killing of Roning Dolah and urges Thailand to conduct a prompt, transparent, independent, and effective investigation into his killing to identify all those responsible and hold them accountable. Furthermore, Thailand must urgently take steps to ensure human rights defenders are protected and can carry out their work without fear of intimidation, threats or reprisals.