Electronic Monitoring for Political Suspects Under Review

[webfact]

 

Justice Ministry plans shift to home detention with electronic monitoring for political suspects amid prison overcrowding concerns.

 

In a significant move to reform the criminal justice system, the Ministry of Justice has revealed plans to amend current regulations to allow political suspects to be detained at home with electronic ankle monitors, pending trial.

 

Thailand's Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong announced that the ministry is reviewing Section 89/1 of a ministerial regulation to provide courts with discretionary power to opt for home detention instead of imprisonment for these suspects. 

 

Explaining the rationale behind the proposal, Minister Tawee stressed the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. "If the amendment is approved, political suspects could be detained in their homes with electronic monitoring instead," he said. 

 

Currently, around 25 individuals face charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese-majeste law, with penalties ranging from three to 15 years in prison. Courts have frequently denied bail due to the serious nature of the offences. 

 

Minister Tawee highlighted that the expanded use of electronic monitoring bracelets not only aligns with the principle of presumption of innocence but also seeks to address the critical overcrowding in Thai prisons. The prison system, designed for 180,000 inmates, is currently housing about 280,000 people, with 50,000 awaiting trial.

 

The announcement follows pressing questions raised by Move Forward Party MP Sasinan Thamnithinan, who cited the recent case of political activist Netiporn Saneysangkhom. Known as Bung Thalu Wang, Netiporn died in custody while on a hunger strike, sparking concerns about the Department of Corrections' treatment of ill detainees.

 

Sasinan’s questions centred on whether the department would take responsibility for Netiporn’s death and improve its treatment protocols. Minister Tawee defended the department, asserting that its care standards meet international requirements. He noted that the number of deaths in detention (750 in 2023) was actually lower than the average of about 1,000 deaths reported annually in previous years.

 

Netiporn's death has intensified calls for swift justice system reforms and highlighted perceived inequities, notably in comparison with the treatment of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The ongoing hunger strike by activists Tantawan "Tawan" Tuatulanon and Natthanon "Frank" Chaimahabud further underscores the urgency of these reforms. Both activists were detained for 105 days over sedition charges before being granted bail in late May.

 

Netiporn's passing on 14th May, after succumbing to a heart attack despite medical interventions, has fuelled public scrutiny and demands for comprehensive changes in the handling of political detainees.

 

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

-- 2024-07-05

 

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[Tropicalevo]

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

Minister Tawee stressed the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

That's a novelty here in Thailand.

Now, about those young protestors that are in gaol without bail?

[redwood1]

Notice this electronic monitoring is not for any one except for some one charged with a political crime?.....

The Fox is looking out for their friends....lol......

 

This should cover nicely all elected officials azz...

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

one charged with a political crime?

...suspected of a political crime.

That would shackle the entire MFP.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In a significant move to reform the criminal justice system, the Ministry of Justice has revealed plans to amend current regulations to allow political suspects to be detained at home with electronic ankle monitors, pending trial.

Thaksin evaded this nicely.