Interim charter ensures public freedom of opinion on referendum: RLPD

[rooster59]

Interim charter ensures public freedom of opinion on referendum: RLPD

Tanakorn Sangiam

BANGKOK, 29 July 2016 (NNT) – The interim constitution provides protection to the general public and allows them to voice their opinions regarding the constitutional referendum, in keeping with Thailand’s commitment to the international community, says RLPD chief.

The Rights and Liberties Protection Department (RLPD) Director-General Kannikar Saengthong has said regarding the general public’s freedom of opinion during the upcoming constitutional referendum, that the interim constitution provides protection to the freedom of the general public, allowing them to express their opinions, which is also part of the commitments Thailand has made to the international community.

She has said the Referendum Act BE 2559 is the main legal body the Election Commission (EC) is obligated to comply to, in order to hold the referendum and publicizing the content of the new constitution to the general public. Article 61 of the act mandates that Thai people shall be able to voice their opinions through the referendum without causing interference or disorder.

The RLPD director-general also addressed the punishment mechanism that are linked to the referendum act, stating that punishments are designed to counter perpetrators or acts that will sabotage the fairness and equality of the referendum, saying that these punishments will ensure national orderliness and the stability.

-- NNT 2016-07-30

[Alive]

So confusing. They've made so many flip-flop statements for weeks on this.

Edited July 29, 2016 by Alive

[LannaGuy]

"able to voice their opinions through the referendum without causing interference or disorder"

translated: "only opinions which agree with the Junta"

[mtls2005]

Now they tell everyone.

Surprised they didn't issue this opinion on 8 August.

[baboon]

So confusing. They've made so many flip-flop statements for weeks on this.

That's the idea. Tell people they are free to dissent then start locking them up. The rest then subsequently become afraid and keep their own counsel. You then go to the UN or wherever and tell them anyone can say anything they like, but they just don't seem to want to for some strange reason.

Either that or their incompetence is beyond human understanding. Take your pick.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

WOW real truthful news for the week.

[waldroj]

She may well say the interim constitution provides protection for people, allowing them to voice their opinions regarding the constitutional referendum, in keeping with Thailand’s commitment to the international community.

A The Rights and Liberties Protection Department - If this weren’t such a serious issue, you would have to laugh out loud at this, and her suggestion above!

But, this is a serious matter, and the reality is quite different from her absurd rhetoric in a document that is very light on the ground inasmuch as public freedom and rights are concerned. It is also loose on interpretation, and stacked in a way that protects the junta from future retribution for their actions.

What's real and what's fantasy starts with its Preamble suggesting justification for the usurpers to seize power was that unification of the people had been broken, and a harmful attitude had been instituted amongst Thais.

Then, the doublespeak begins - Section 4 suggests that "Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, all human dignity, rights, liberties and equality of the people protected by the constitutional convention under a democratic regime of government with the King as the Head of State, and by international obligations bound by Thailand, shall be protected and upheld by this Constitution". Yeah, sure - we have already seen what happens to those who speak out against the junta, or who challenge the credibility of the Draft Constitution.

Meanwhile, Section 11 is even more farcical, telling us that "The members of the National Legislative Assembly shall be representatives of Thai people and shall devote themselves to the performance of duties in good faith for public benefit of Thai people".

Once you finish rolling on the floor over that one, of course we have the all-encompassing pièce de résistance - Section 44 - for anything the junta sees as anti- reform, public unity and harmony, public peace and order, national security, the Monarchy, national economics or administration of State affairs - regardless of where in the world it happens!

And, finally, the "Get out of Jail Free" card for the junta and its cronies - Section 48 - which states that regardless of what they do, "if the aforesaid acts were illegal, all related person shall be exempted from being offenders and shall be exempted from all liabilities".

[elgordo38]

So confusing. They've made so many flip-flop statements for weeks on this.

Yes your right. They keep throwing all those fancy alphabetical names around I must make a referral list PDQ.

[elgordo38]

Now they tell everyone.

Surprised they didn't issue this opinion on 8 August.

Its in the same vein as all the military purchases. NO NO NO NO sorry YES YES YES. The do so many U turns here that they end up going in circles.