Court Order To Serve As Blueprint In Dealing With Red Shirts Protest : Abhisit

[webfact]

Court order to serve as blueprint in dealing with protest : PM

By Samatcha Hunsara

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the authorities would adhere to an Administrative Court order in dealing with red-shirt protesters during their upcoming rally.

He said the authorities would follow international standards in dealing with protesters and would take actions appropriately, as had been suggested in the court order on October 9, 2008, following a police crackdown on yellow-shirt protesters that led to two deaths and several injuries.

"The court stated clearly that a peaceful and unarmed demonstration is guaranteed by the Constitution. To qualify for that right, protesters must not create fear, make threats, resist officials on duty, or affect the normal life of other people," the prime minister said.

"The authorities will follow the guidelines suggested by the court. The ruling should serve as the best rules for all sides," he said.

Abhisit was speaking at Parliament after a meeting of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), which he chaired as the agency's ex-officio director. Other participants included Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, Information and Communications Technology Minister Ranongruk Suwanchawee, and commanders-in-chief of the three armed forces.

Article 63 of the Constitution states that "A person shall enjoy the liberty to assemble peacefully and without arms".

The Administrative Court ruled that the yellow shirts' rally in October 2008 did not deserve the constitutional protection because it was not peaceful, caused fear and infringed on the rights and liberty of others. The court also said that the police had the authority to disperse such a protest although they would have to follow international standards in dealing with the protesters step-by-step and only as much as it was necessary.

In response to the rival yellow shirts' warning to stage a counter-protest, Abhisit urged those both supporting and opposing the red shirts' rally not to come out, or they could further complicate the situation and a clash between the rival groups might be inevitable.

The prime minister said his secretary-general, Korbsak Sabhavasu, would head a working group that would communicate with protest leaders in order to avoid "any misunderstanding or accident".

He insisted that the government had no intention of suppressing protesters, adding that the administration would stand to lose, instead of benefiting, from resorting to use of force.

Abhisit, however, was firm with his warning that cited intelligence reports of possible sabotage attacks during the protest period. He added that members of the public should not panic - although they should also not be careless. He called on anyone with information to inform the authorities for improved safety.

He also said that the government did not make up the warnings of possible violence. Certain leaders of the red shirts, including former MP Arisman Pongruangrong, made threats of violent action while addressing red-shirt protesters.

When asked if the tense political situation was discouraging for him, the prime minister said he had no right to get discouraged, as it was his duty to take care of the country and the people. Abhisit said that he believed Thailand would prove to be a strong society if the country could pass the upcoming rally peacefully.

"If we can't do it, the country will be severely damaged and everyone will lose," he said.

Asked about safety measures for Siriraj Hospital, where His Majesty the King is staying, the premier said maximum security was normally provided at any place of royal residence.

-- The Nation 2010-03-11

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[ukrules]

Quote : He said the authorities would follow international standards in dealing with protesters and would take actions appropriately

This is always a problem, the international standard for dealing with demonstrators appears to be sending in a massive amount of police to beat the crowd into submission, it is a true unwritten international standard and happens everywhere.

People who would appear to be ordinary police officers on a day to day basis will smash truncheons / nightsticks over peoples heads for the smallest perceived infraction, I've seen this on TV news in every country of the world where there has been some kind of demonstration. Interestingly enough the police in European countries where this sort of behaviour is usually deemed illegal seem to relish the chance and seize it with every opportunity to beat the public when in this situation. I suspect this is because normally there would be consequences for European police if they beat up members of the public, in a large scale situation like this it is often allowed with little or no ramifications.