Amnesty demands junta lifts all human rights restrictions

By The Nation

 

 

Amnesty International has called on the Thai junta to end all restrictions on human rights before the next election tentatively scheduled for February 24.

 

It said the Thai authorities must drop all “arbitrary restrictions” on human rights and peaceful political activities before the general elections.

 

“As a first step, authorities must fully lift the arbitrary restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association,” Amnesty said in a statement released on Friday.

 

The international watchdog group’s statement came as the ruling National Council for Peace and Order held a meeting with political parties at the Royal Thai Army Club regarding the upcoming national vote.

“Since the coup, the regime has imposed a raft of repressive and unwarranted bans on political activity and the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” said Katherine Gerson, Amnesty International’s Thailand campaigner.

 

“These bans have severely damaged Thailand’s human rights, political life – and reputation,” she added.

 

Gerson said that the military government pledged to lift those restrictions, as it proceeded with a roadmap towards the elections. “But so far, the junta has taken virtually no steps towards fulfilling this promise,” she said.

 

“While Thai authorities have said they may lift some restrictions from next week, they must go all the way. The government must end its use of fear, intimidation and imprisonment against individuals who are peacefully speaking their mind,” Gerson said.

 

Across Thailand, hundreds of students, academics, journalists, lawyers, activists and others are facing long jail sentences for peaceful criticism, gathering in public, calling for their rights to be restored or simply calling for elections.

 

The group demanded that Thai authorities allow people to receive and distribute information online and from the media, engage in public debate and campaigns, gather peacefully and demonstrate, criticise politicians and express diverse or dissenting viewpoints without fear of imprisonment or persecution.

 

“The authorities should also send a clear signal of their commitment to uphold these rights by dropping charges – and repealing convictions – of all individuals targeted solely for peacefully exercising their rights,” Amnesty said in its statement.

 

“As the junta moves closer to holding these elections, they continue a pattern of legally harassing their opponents into silence,” Gerson said.

 

“For too long, the military government has used public order as a pretext to shield themselves from criticism and cling to draconian controls on people coming together and speaking their mind.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30360040

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-08

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“But so far, the junta has taken virtually no steps towards fulfilling this promise,”

What promises have been fulfilled in the interests of freedom and fairness ?  None ?

 

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“For too long, the military government has used public order as a pretext to shield themselves from criticism and cling to draconian controls on people coming together and speaking their mind.”

They are not capable of anything else and they are are scared to death of debate and scrutiny.  They are something the average Thai should be ashamed of and disappointed in.   They are just bullies.

lol - amnesty will have about as much effect upon Thailand as the Catholic church had on Duerte.

All military juntas are a dictatorship, they cannot behave or survive in a normal democratic political environment.

They will not allow in any shape or form an opposition party that has a chance to topple them in a free vote

they will protect at all costs their draconian actions to cling to power.

 

 

.....and some are just learning of this. 

 

Rather fashionable.

A key point for me is the mention of the military and their represive ways ruining Thailand's reputation. True it is and funny how these fat cat generals see it the other way around, in that those who protest the junta are damaging the countries reputation. 

How long will it take to read: A I Thailand staff summoned for AA?

The likes of AI are to be suspect and refuted - 

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

All military juntas are a dictatorship, they cannot behave or survive in a normal democratic political environment.

They will not allow in any shape or form an opposition party that has a chance to topple them in a free vote

they will protect at all costs their draconian actions to cling to power.

 

 

No argument there....the junta's problem, from this perspective (they have so many problems from other perspectives not related to this quote) is that they want to move into a position to claim legitimacy as democratic leaders. This will be very difficult for them since they don't know what democracy is, they don't know how to lead in a democratic setting, and they seem to be like spoiled children that must have things their way in every case which doesn't always happen in a democracy. 

 

Bottom line is they cannot survive in a normal democratic setting....just as you have stated. 

13 hours ago, from the home of CC said:

lol - amnesty will have about as much effect upon Thailand as the Catholic church had on Duerte.

This is true but at the same time it's important that this so called government is shown for what it is.

13 hours ago, hotchilli said:

All military juntas are a dictatorship, they cannot behave or survive in a normal democratic political environment.

They will not allow in any shape or form an opposition party that has a chance to topple them in a free vote

they will protect at all costs their draconian actions to cling to power.

 

 

Yes.... Totally agreed.........

And the 'Military' that is involved in this Justa/Dictatorship is well known for it's methods of 'ruling by fear'...... Even in training it's own recruits....... Try to recall some of the news in the not so distant past about the number of 'conscripts' who have been seriously injured or killed by inhumane punishments....... (and likely only a few cases 'leaked out' to the news)......

My Thai Wife's younger brother was a recruit several years ago and was punished by having to SWIM in a 'Septic/Sewerage Pit' naked for a few minutes as a punishment......... Using him to put fear in others obviously....

Let's hope that this 'mentality' doesn't continue to 'rule and ruin' this lovely country and it's beautiful people......

Edited December 8, 20187 yr by sawadeeken
add a missing word

It is imperative for the military govt to enforce the silence, repress alternative opinion and ensure no alternative ideas so that their narrative remains the only one. The referendum on the constitution proved that it works so they feel obliged to repeat the process. Only when the citizenry understand whats happening and how it works will there be changes and so far few people have been willing to face the threats of sedition. Amnesty International will be totally ignored. 

2 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

It is imperative for the military govt to enforce the silence, repress alternative opinion and ensure no alternative ideas so that their narrative remains the only one. The referendum on the constitution proved that it works so they feel obliged to repeat the process. Only when the citizenry understand whats happening and how it works will there be changes and so far few people have been willing to face the threats of sedition. Amnesty International will be totally ignored. 

So....what's your [et al] plan?

23 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

So....what's your [et al] plan?

My plan?...……..is to sit back and see what unfolds...…...I love to watch them make it up as they go!

28 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

My plan?...……..is to sit back and see what unfolds...…...I love to watch them make it up as they go!

I've my Ya Dong and toasty insects, as well....

Great entertainment.

Its my way after all we have the guns and tunics emblazoned with a million ribbons to prove it also a very punctual general please send future requests to the graft committee????

Amnesty, Democracy, Human Rights are words that don't exist in the Junta dictionary. The only way the

Government would start listening is for the West to impose sanctions like the US did on the mighty China and it's working. Upon the fear of sanctions, the Junta would immediately free all political opponents on the spot!

Thailand relies too much on export to turn a blind eye on possible sanctions.