Govt human rights ‘pretence’

[webfact]

Govt human rights ‘pretence’

By WASAMON AUDJARINT, 
KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

 

HUMAN RIGHTS defenders lashed out at Thailand’s declining situation in regard to personal freedoms despite efforts by the ruling junta yesterday to promote human rights as a national agenda item.

 

Critics said rights violations were a daily reality, with activists being subjected to strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) just for exercising their basic freedoms.

 

Chamnan Chanruang, former chairman of Amnesty International (Thailand), yesterday slammed the latest government tactic as a “pretence”. 

 

“The prime minister may have missed the point. It is true that people have to obey the laws, but the laws have to be legitimate and written by representatives of the people. That is not the case now,” Chamnan said.

 

He said the government had reacted far too harshly, with many demonstrators facing charges of sedition simply for using their freedom of expression to call for an election.

 

Angkhana Neelapaijit, a long-time activist and member of the National Human Rights Commission, said the government first and foremost should review certain laws that are impeding personal freedoms.

 

In particularly, the junta ban on political assemblies of five or more people needed urgent reconsideration, she said.

 

“Too many activists have faced lawsuits because of this law in recent years. I’d really appreciate it if the government could give some importance to it,” Angkhana told The Nation.

 

Government House yesterday was the venue for a grand event to promote human rights as part of the national agenda under the “Thailand 4.0” initiative. The event included hundreds of guests, including more than 55 foreign diplomats and representatives from international organisations.

 

It took place only two days after four pro-democracy activists were prosecuted on charges ranging from allegedly breaking a junta order to committing sedition. They have all been released on bail.

 

The activists attended a recent demonstration calling on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to hold an election this year.

 

More and more rallies have been held as the junta faces mounting pressure in its fourth year in power – longer than many of its elected predecessors.

 

In a speech yesterday, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said human rights had to be carried out based on “laws and respect of others”.

 

“What’s important is that human rights must not be an excuse to infringe on other people’s rights,” Prayut said. “The government will harshly punish those violating human rights but please differentiate between violations of rights and breaking of laws. There is a fine line between them.” 

 

The premier also said people should not use human rights as a reason to “eradicate everything ... Otherwise you will just create clashes with authorities of all types. This sort of problem should not exist any more in this world,” he said.

 

Some representatives from embassies and international organisations yesterday reiterated their support for the Thai administration in its international commitment to human rights.

 

“We appreciate the prime minister and foreign minister’s emphasis that the government is committed to complying with Thailand’s human rights obligations under the international conventions and agreements to which Thailand is a party,” said United States Embassy spokesperson Stephane Castonguay.

 

However, Cynthia Veliko, regional representative of the Office of the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights for Southeast Asia, said: “We hope that the current restrictions on fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression, opinion and assembly, will be lifted with urgency to allow for its successful implementation.” 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30338692

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-13

[Samui Bodoh]

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

Angkhana Neelapaijit, a long-time activist and member of the National Human Rights Commission, said the government first and foremost should review certain laws that are impeding personal freedoms.

 

In particularly, the junta ban on political assemblies of five or more people needed urgent reconsideration, she said.

 

“Too many activists have faced lawsuits because of this law in recent years. I’d really appreciate it if the government could give some importance to it,” Angkhana told The Nation.

 

"...Too many activists have faced lawsuits because of this law in recent years. I’d really appreciate it if the government could give some importance to it..."

 

Rarely have I ever heard such a forceful denunciation of human rights' abuses.

 

Wow. 

[smedly]

Word of advice Prayut Chan O cha

 

if you want to respect human rights in Thailand then you need to adopt "International" standards ...................all of them

 

I will also add that under international human rights standards - there is no such a thing as "free speech" as many on here would have us all believe .................................. there really is no such a thing - there are limits to your rights of free speech, there are limits to what you can say in public and online................free speech ? it doesn't exist

 

Right now in Thailand those limits are draconian and are infringing on peoples rights but given the history it is to an extent understandable, there were divisive groups and organisations that wanted power and money at the expense of pretty much anything that stood in their way (I am redshirt....yeah how's that working for you right now ? well many want to get right back at it), but here we are 4 years later and it is time to relax - yes if some group tries to insight hatred violence and conflict or try to gain control of certain things like national parks and other concessions  to enable them to steal/filter huge sums (billions) of public money into their pockets...........................someone needs to be around to stop that, there are huge sums of money involved 

 

we have already seen some honest people put in charge of national parks down south and seen an increase in revenue of billions of baht overnight  - I am redshirt has been in control of that public asset for years, how many billions did they stuff into their thieving pockets for decades

 

Oh yes all in the name of Democracy and "Human rights"

 

The current government who I am now less than impressed with need to step up and stop being afraid to let people speak - if these people insight hatred violence or conflict then arrest them, there is no doubt there is big money at stake for certain divisive elements to get back in control as I have mentioned above and that must be avoided but the general thai people are not involved in this and they sometimes take to the streets on mass to peacefully protest when it is in their faces

 

Corruption is without doubt the number one scourge of Thailand and until it is dealt with it will hold back the development of the country and the people - short of a civilian revolution the only people in a position to do anything about it are those with power.........sad but true

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“The prime minister may have missed the point. It is true that people have to obey the laws, but the laws have to be legitimate and written by representatives of the people. That is not the case now,” Chamnan said.

The good general has no idea, completely at a loss as to what the point is.  That and he has been Thailand's problem since 2014. 

Edited February 13, 2018 by yellowboat

[steven100]

I think Khun Prayut knows exactly how to handle the critics.

[bluesofa]

12 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I think Khun Prayut knows exactly how to handle the critics.

Yes, he knows just how to do it: Storm off in a huff when pressed about the Shinawatra photos from China.

[colinneil]

17 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I think Khun Prayut knows exactly how to handle the critics.

Yes it is called bullying.

[coulson]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

I think Khun Prayut knows exactly how to handle the critics.

Tantrums, cardboard cut outs & poetry?

 

He can't handle any form of criticism and 2018 will see him crack under pressure.

[Cadbury]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Chamnan Chanruang yesterday slammed the latest government tactic as a “pretence”. 

Of course Chamnan is correct. He would also be correct if he said just about everything the government does in Thailand is a "pretence". e.g.

- law and justice is a pretence.

- doing something about the road toll is a pretence.

- having an election is pretence.

- doing something about civil service corruption is a pretence.

- building high-speed trains is a pretence.

- the education system is a pretence.

- asking Prawit for an explanation about his watch collection is a pretence.

- shortening immigration queues is a pretence.

 - etc. etc.

 

The chance of Thailand's "pretences" becoming "reality" is ZERO; especially under this unelected government.

 

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, smedly said:

I will also add that under international human rights standards - there is no such a thing as "free speech" as many on here would have us all believe .................................. there really is no such a thing - there are limits to your rights of free speech, there are limits to what you can say in public and online................free speech ? it doesn't exist

 

Would hate to agree with you but the good general and the world are in the most glitzy of company:  https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/12/harvard-berkeley-among-top-10-worst-schools-free-s/ 

 

Very little in life is limitless.  Liable laws, for example, are necessary.  So yes, you are correct. 100% free speech does not exist and why should it ?

Edited February 13, 2018 by yellowboat

[Becker]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

I think Khun Prayut knows exactly how to handle the critics.

The clock is ticking Steven, buddy - can you hear it?? And I'm not talking about one of the 25 astoundingly expensive watches that #2 toad has "borrowed". The junta's time is nearing an end and it's time for the dinos to head for the exit. Don't get left behind buddy - it's going to get nasty for you!

 

Helpful link

[YetAnother]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

HUMAN RIGHTS defenders lashed out at Thailand’s declining situation

much like thais seem to accept the awful state of driving here, they seem to also accept that bad governance here is the norm

[mikebell]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

differentiate between violations of rights and breaking of laws. There is a fine line between them.” 

Agreed - everyone should have human rights; the rich do not have to obey the laws of the land because the police decide who to prosecute OR NOT.

[Lungstib]

Pretence is the perfect word. Its a sham. Angkhana is someone who would surely understand this obfuscation. The following is another superb reminder of whats missing here:

 "but the laws have to be legitimate and written by representatives of the people"

The 'rule of law' is just a convenient phrase to be trotted out when it suits certain people.