Leave Remedial Measures Up To One Agency In South: Study

[Flashermac]

A study by five universities in the South showed that it was necessary to make one single agency directly responsible for remedial measures for victims of insurgency.

 

Assigned by the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre, the study revealed that the public in the restive region was moderately satisfied with the existing remedial measures and very satisfied with the state officials' work.

 

However, respondents suggested that remedial measures and rehabilitation of the victims should be made the responsibility of a single agency.

 

The strong points of the current measures in place include the creation of positive feeling among the affected and the promotion of a community network.

 

However, the weaknesses include the state agencies' top-down operation, the

 

lack of systematic planning and the lack of standardised operations in vertical (provincial and district-level agencies) and horizontal (different agencies) levels, the study found.

 

Lack of trust major obstacle

 

The lack of trust towards state officials posed a major obstacle to remedial measures, it found.

 

Other issues were the officials' lack of experience, lack of shared information and links between agencies, and the lack of information and database analysis, leading to the lack of tools to further develop remedial measures, as well as check and follow through with the procedures and results.

 

The study also suggested the decentralisation of power so local bodies could be of help.

 

The affected people and those from relevant parties suggested that remedial measures should be implemented with the principle of participation from community, religion and culture.

 

A database of those affected, along with a party clearly identified as being responsible for the database, should be set up systematically and kept up to date in order to maintain transparency, they suggested.

 

They also suggested that the compensation criteria be improved so it is in line with current economic conditions and the victims' vocational capacity at the time, as in a case where the affected person is detained and released later after being proved innocent.

 

The study, conducted late last year by Prince of Songkla University's Pattani Campus, Yala Rajabhat University, Thaksin University, Princess of Naradhiwas University and Yala Islamic University (aka Fatoni University), was recently proposed for Cabinet consideration.

 

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Leave-remedial-measures-up-to-one-agency-in-South--30231539.html