#brn

many years spent alone with just a camera, or something

People Trapped Between Insurgent Violence, Security Force Abuses

(Bangkok, May 29, 2025) – Separatist insurgents in Thailand’s southern border provinces should uphold their pledge and international legal obligations not to attack civilians, Human Rights Watch said today.

Barisan Revolusi Nasional (National Revolutionary Front or BRN) insurgents have frequently targeted civilians, both Thai Buddhists and Malay Muslims, since the outbreak of armed insurgency in January 2004.

On May 5, 2025, the BRN issued a statement expressing regret for recent attacks. While reaffirming the right to self-determination for Malay Muslims, the armed separatist group said that it “has no policy of targeting civilians” and “remains committed to international human rights and humanitarian law.” Human Rights Watch has repeatedly condemned BRN laws-of-war violations.

“The BRN took an unprecedented step by publicly pledging not to target civilians, after terrorizing people in Thailand’s deep south for more than two decades,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “But a pledge is not enough. The BRN needs to stop committing war crimes.”