Protesters charge Thai govt with violating human rights

[webfact]

Protesters charge govt with violating human rights
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 2 – Anti-government protesters today lodged complaints with Thailand's Human Rights Commission and Ombudsman, charging the government with abusing its authority in invoking the Internal Security Act (ISA) which bans political gatherings in key capital vicinities.

Pichet Pattanachote, a leader of the People’s Army against the Thaksin Regime group, said the order was intended to intimidate political activists and prohibit them from joining a mass rally on Sunday.

The government, in a special cabinet meeting Wednesday, declared the enforcement of the stringent ISA measures in the city’s three most important politically districts, Phra Nakhon, Pomprab Satrupai and Dusit, for ten days from yesterday through August 10.

The controversial amnesty bill, which protesters claim is a move to whitewash ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and allow his return to Thailand is slated for Lower House debate on Wednesday amid opposition from different quarters in society, especially the Democrat Party.

Critical cental government buildings such as Government House, Parliament and the Royal Palace are located in the three districts.

The Peace-keeping Operations Command chaired by national police chief Adul Sangsingkaew announced at a news briefing today that the measures to handle the planned rally under the ISA will be applied in accordance with international practices.

Mr Pichet said the rally by the People’s Army would be peaceful, and charged that the special cabinet meeting on the ISA on Wednesday was unlawful as the 35-member cabinet regularly meets on Tuesday.

Amara Pongsapich, chairperson of the National Rights Commission, said members of the commission would carry out a preliminary check to determine if the government’s action was intimidating people and violating their freedom.

Mr Pichet said a similar complaint was lodged with the Ombudsman and the People’s Army was told that the Ombudsman would invite related government officials to discuss the matter. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-08-02

[OzMick]

It is an incredible piece of hypocrisy that people are not allowed to peacefully protest a bill which will give amnesty for criminal acts committed in the name of protest.

[gl555]

Only red shirts are allowed to protest 'peacefully'. Everyone else gets arrested. PTP democracy at it's best!

[Thai at Heart]

From what I can read, most of what they have tried to impose is stuff which police should police most of the time.

Blocking public highways, carrying weapons, occupying private property. It just sums up how stupid the legal system is here, that they won't intervene and actually behave like police without some huge piece of legislation behind them.

[dudu]

No one wants to put there head on the block,thats why everything his half hearted..

[GeorgeO]

The government is inviting confrontation with such measures.

It has demonstrated time and again that a red shirt rally is seen as posing no threat to anyone, so they will be allowed to gather and demonstrate whenever they choose to. However, they seem to have missed the fact that such red shirt gatherings have resulted in fierce attacks on opposing rallies, using nut, bolts, pebbles, and whatever else they could get their hands on to use as missiles against the opposing demonstrators.

If the factions opposing the government move into the areas that have been closed to them in the coming week, and the government adopts a heavy-handed response, then that will essentially show the world how biased this government is towards one section of society. Worse still, it will widen the already huge divide in society, leading ever closer to civil unrest, and perhaps even civil war.

[winstonc]

The government is inviting confrontation with such measures.

It has demonstrated time and again that a red shirt rally is seen as posing no threat to anyone, so they will be allowed to gather and demonstrate whenever they choose to. However, they seem to have missed the fact that such red shirt gatherings have resulted in fierce attacks on opposing rallies, using nut, bolts, pebbles, and whatever else they could get their hands on to use as missiles against the opposing demonstrators.

If the factions opposing the government move into the areas that have been closed to them in the coming week, and the government adopts a heavy-handed response, then that will essentially show the world how biased this government is towards one section of society. Worse still, it will widen the already huge divide in society, leading ever closer to civil unrest, and perhaps even civil war.

correct,and hopefully tourism will collapse,that would be fun,,

[selftaopath]

I wonder what various reactions would be if Thaksin was excluded in this ???? suggestion. Some say LOS does not stand for Land of Smiles but rather Lack of Sanctions.

[h90]

The government is inviting confrontation with such measures.

It has demonstrated time and again that a red shirt rally is seen as posing no threat to anyone, so they will be allowed to gather and demonstrate whenever they choose to. However, they seem to have missed the fact that such red shirt gatherings have resulted in fierce attacks on opposing rallies, using nut, bolts, pebbles, and whatever else they could get their hands on to use as missiles against the opposing demonstrators.

If the factions opposing the government move into the areas that have been closed to them in the coming week, and the government adopts a heavy-handed response, then that will essentially show the world how biased this government is towards one section of society. Worse still, it will widen the already huge divide in society, leading ever closer to civil unrest, and perhaps even civil war.

correct,and hopefully tourism will collapse,that would be fun,,

why would the tourism collapse?

Seizure of the airports

military coup

ripp of and fraud everywhere

reds burn down Bangkok

everything had no real impact on tourism.

[tingtongteesood]

The government wants there to be violence so they can discredit those who oppose the government. Meanwhile by their actions the government are MAKING the rope to hang themselves, they are just so shortsighted they can't see that...I hope the demonstrators will avoid violence at all costs and show that the side of right will behave in the way respectable people are supposed to do so. The truth will out and right will show it's might. However, T.I.T. so surely there will be a fight...

[LuckyLew]

It has been quiet in Bkk for a while now, getting boring

Would like to see some protest .. marches ... shoot-outs and big fires just to liven things up

[GoodWesternGuy]

I saw this YouTube video of a Thai child being abused and forced to eat feaces http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7INJOpqYqNI&feature=youtu.be and I thought: "Human Rights? can we really expect them from a nation where this kind of thing happens?"

[rubl]

I'm living in the Dusit district. with the ISA I wonder if I can legally invite four friends to gather at a local karaoke shop for food, beer and music and to discuss the protests? If we promise to talk only in an 'alien' language, would that help?

[pedro01]

It is an incredible piece of hypocrisy that people are not allowed to peacefully protest a bill which will give amnesty for criminal acts committed in the name of protest.

Very good point indeed

[hellodolly]

I saw this YouTube video of a Thai child being abused and forced to eat feaces http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7INJOpqYqNI&feature=youtu.be and I thought: "Human Rights? can we really expect them from a nation where this kind of thing happens?"

Hate to break the news to you but that kind of abuse happens in all nations.

Sad but true.

[MAJIC]

Apparently,it's OK to Gag the opposition,because the Demonstration is only about Reconciliation,and Amnesty,for one in particular,who is scared witless to even live in Thailand,even though he can pop in, on his own Jet,at any time,what more Amnesty or Reconciliation than that does he want?

[whybother]

If they protest and the Amnesty bill passes, they'll get off anyway, won't they?

[rametindallas]

So, what is the criterion for activating the Internal Security Act? Shouldn't it only be used for serious threats against the government or populace? If it can be activated on a whim, then it can be used to facilitate a dictatorship and to stop any opposition to total rule by fiat. Is this lowering the bar or has the ISA been used for 'potential' protests before? This government hides behind the word 'democracy' while they behave in a dictatorial way.

[MaiChai]

If they protest and the Amnesty bill passes, they'll get off anyway, won't they?

Good point..The government obviously have not considered that!

[rubberduck]

Somehow I get the feeling that a lot of lids will start coming of slurry pits soon.

[theajarn]

I'll side with Thaksin on this one. Look at how he handles the government -- swiftly. If only the yellow-livered-yellow-shirts did the same against the red shirt scum, they wouldn't have to deal with this. But the yellow shirts LET the red shirts trod all over them, occupy Bangkok, and burn buildings.

From a management perspective, Thaksin is the better manager. God knows you need a ruthless manager to rule the country.

That's what China does.

I'm all for the Amnesty Bill. Why drag it out anyways? Welcome Mr. Thaksin back, and THEN the yellows and reds and other colours and shapes can deal with him.

I mean, it's not like there are not a couple hundred people who would willingly give their lives for the betterment of the country right? People who have lost their loved ones? Anyone?

[theajarn]

I'm all for the Amnesty Bill. Why drag it out anyways? Welcome Mr. Thaksin back, and THEN the yellows and reds and other colours and shapes can deal with him.

I mean, it's not like there are not a couple hundred people who would willingly give their lives for the betterment of the country right? People who have lost their loved ones? Anyone?

[theajarn]

The government is inviting confrontation with such measures.

It has demonstrated time and again that a red shirt rally is seen as posing no threat to anyone, so they will be allowed to gather and demonstrate whenever they choose to. However, they seem to have missed the fact that such red shirt gatherings have resulted in fierce attacks on opposing rallies, using nut, bolts, pebbles, and whatever else they could get their hands on to use as missiles against the opposing demonstrators.

If the factions opposing the government move into the areas that have been closed to them in the coming week, and the government adopts a heavy-handed response, then that will essentially show the world how biased this government is towards one section of society. Worse still, it will widen the already huge divide in society, leading ever closer to civil unrest, and perhaps even civil war.

correct,and hopefully tourism will collapse,that would be fun,,

Dream on. You think "the world" gives a shit? What, do you think Obama is gonna wave his magic willy and everything will be alright? Don't be naive. Thailand is for Thais and this is how they do things. This is how they will always do things.

You think the world cares? What have you been doing to make life better for Thais? What have I been doing? I left the country, that's what. Coz I know it's just going to get worse. Not a place to raise a family. A place to retire and get fresh p---y, yes. But a place to see your kids grow up in? Never. Not unless you want your kids to be like the rest of the hopeless, brainwashed and mind-controlled masses that the Thai education system guarantees.

And you think the world cares?

Buddy, _we_ are the closest thing to "the world" for the Thais. And look how much we've let them down. We can't do shit. You think anyone else can?

[lee b]

I will tag along !!

It has been quiet in Bkk for a while now, getting boring

Would like to see some protest .. marches ... shoot-outs and big fires just to liven things up