Human Rights Watch calls for restoration of Thai democracy

MANILA, Philippines – Human Rights Watch on Saturday, May 24, called for the “urgent” restoration of Thailand’s democracy as the country’s army chief seized power in a military coup following the declaration of martial law. (READ: The Thai coup and the risk of democracy fatigue)

“Military rule has thrown Thailand’s rights situation into a free fall,” Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

“The army is using draconian martial law powers to detain politicians, activists, and journalists, to censor media, and to ban all public gatherings. This rolling crackdown needs to come to an end immediately.”

Army commander-in-chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-O-Cha announced a military coup on Thursday, May 22, during a televised address to the nation. (READ: Thailand’s army seizes power in coup)

The statement on Saturday also urged the Thai military to revoke its “abusive” martial law powers, to end censorship, and to release people who have been arrested since martial law was imposed on Tuesday, May 20.

Media censorship

The military on Thursday announced after the coup that all public public and private television and radio stations must suspend normal programming and broadcast only army feeds. (READ: Thai army chief orders censorship of media)

When Thai PBS TV aired its regular programs through Internet feeds, the station’s deputy director Wanchai Tantiwittayapitak was arrested for several hours by armed soldiers.

While regular programs are already allowed, television and radio programs were told not to invite anyone who might make negative comments about the military and the political situation of Thailand.

Print media were also directed not to publicize commentaries critical of the military’s actions.

Human Rights Watch said the military has forced off the air community radio networks and 15 satellite and digital television channels. Cable and satellite operators were ordered to disconnect any link to international news and entertainment channels.

On Friday, May 23, Internet service providers were also ordered strict self-censorship of any content related to the country’s political situation. 

“Widespread censorship and threats to the media are aimed at silencing any and all critics of military rule in Thailand,” Adams said. “Thailand’s friends and allies should demand an end to this assault on the media. In a political crisis, free speech is needed more than ever.”

The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) also imposed a 10 pm to 5 am curfew, banning public gatherings of more than five people, including rallies of both the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Mass arrests

Army spokesman Colonel Werachon Sukhondhadhpatipak said more than 100 people have been arrested, including former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and other politicians, leaders of political movements, and financiers of the ruling Pheu Thai Party to “keep them away from the situation.” 

The army has also ordered 155 others to report, including deposed acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan and other officials from government agencies, professional associations, and civil society groups. (READ: Thai army bars ex-PM, 154 others from leaving)

But reports of the military detaining people in unofficial places of detention such as undisclosed military camps raise “grave” concerns, Human Rights Watch said.

It added military authorities have not yet provided information about the detainees, how many they are, or their current location.

This includes Boonlert Ruengtim, a core leader of the UDD’s militia who was arrested on Tuesday, and Chantana Warakornsakulkij and Chawawat Thongpuak, who were arrested on Wednesday, May 21, following raids on alleged UDD weapons caches.

There is higher risk of torture and ill-treatment, Human Rights Watch said, when detainees are “held incommunicado in unofficial locations” by the military “which lacks training and experience in law enforcement.”

“The military’s mass arbitrary arrests are made all the worse by holding people in secret detention,” Adams said. “Those who have allegedly committed crimes should be properly charged and face fair trials in civilian courts.”

‘As long as necessary’

Chan-O-Cha said the nationwide intervention will continue “as long as necessary.”

But Human Rights Watch said the “apparent” target of the coup is former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his political allies in the ruling Pheu Thai Party.  (READ: US suspends aid as Thailand coup criticism grows)

“The military and others in Thailand are so desperate to rid the country of Thaksin and his allies that they are now holding the entire country hostage to their whims,” Adams said.

“The Thai army needs to recognize that the government should be determined by the ballot, not the bullet,” he added. – Rappler.com