Activists call for bail rights for those accused of political crimes

Today, renowned political activists Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul and Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon handed in a petition to the government. They called for the provision of bail and a clear investigation into activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom aka "Bung Thalu Wang's" death, who was in judicial custody. They also requested a swift enactment of an amnesty law to cover all political criminals.

Somkid Chuekong, the deputy secretary-general of the prime minister for political affairs, formally received the petition at the Government House. The duo, representing the Thalu Fah group and United Thammasat and Demonstration group, carried along a poster that showed a promise, made by the Pheu Thai party during their electoral campaign, to ensure political offenders have bail rights. Audio recordings of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Pheu Thai party leader Paetongtarn discussing these rights were also played.

Speaking on Netiporn's death at Thammasat University Hospital on Tuesday, Panusaya expressed concerns over the Corrections Department's failure to share footage of Netiporn's transfer from the department's hospital. However, in response, Somkid expressed his condolences for Netiporn's death but clarified that the government couldn't intervene in the court's decision to grant bail for political offense suspects.

He also stated that neither parliament nor the government had been slow in processing the amnesty bill and pointed out that parliament was currently on a break.

A report from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights shows that 1,954 individuals have been legally charged with political offenses in 1,295 instances, which includes 1,466 charges for violating the Emergency Act and another 272 charges for lèse majesté.

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

-- 2024-05-16

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