JAKARTA, 26 June 2015 – ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) called on Thai authorities to drop all charges and immediately release students arrested in Bangkok today, adding that the time had come for others in the region to take a stand alongside those fighting for democracy in Thailand.
Fourteen students were arrested this evening, according to reports, charged with taking part in a gathering of more than five people—an act outlawed under the National Council for Peace and Order’s (NCPO) order no. 3/2558. The arrests followed their participation in a protest against the ruling military junta, which took place in downtown Bangkok yesterday.
“It’s a disgrace. There’s no legitimacy left for a regime that bullies and arrests peaceful students for doing nothing more than standing up for their rights,” said Charles Santiago, APHR Chairperson and a member of parliament in Malaysia.
“How can the junta expect the international community to take seriously the idea that it can hold credible elections if people aren’t even allowed to stand next to one another holding signs expressing their political opinion?” Santiago said. “The international community and Thailand’s neighbors can no longer be under the illusion that the junta intends to return the country to democracy anytime soon.”
Recent weeks have also witnessed high-profile news conferences forcibly cancelled by the military government, including one on the subject of the Kingdom’s controversial lèse majesté law, which criminalizes all open discussion of the monarchy.
“The junta has instituted a series of laws and policies that are increasingly turning Thailand into a country governed by fear and repression, where ordinary citizens are tried in military courts and people can no longer speak their minds,” said Santiago. “This is not something that the rest of ASEAN welcomes.”
“Thailand isn’t moving towards reconciliation; it’s moving towards another explosive confrontation,” he added. “ASEAN craves stability, not conflict. Not even the iron fist of Thailand’s infamous military will be able to keep the Thai people suppressed for long. It’s high time this junta stepped aside and allowed for the return of democracy and the institution of basic human rights protections.”
Latest Contents
Prachatai English is an independent, non-profit news outlet committed to covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite pressure from the authorities. Your support will ensure that we stay a professional media source and be able to meet the challenges and deliver in-depth reporting.
• Simple steps to support Prachatai English
1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank
2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”