NCPO rejects Amnesty’s call

Democracy activists must obey law, it says

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has brushed off calls from Amnesty International to stop prosecuting pro-democracy activists, saying authorities have done their duty in line with the law.

NCPO spokesman Piyaphong Klinphan said yesterday authorities have always tried to create better understanding among people in society about laws and their enforcement.

He stressed the NCPO, security and legal officials have proceeded with these cases within legal boundaries and that they have never violated any rights or meted out discriminatory treatment against anyone.

Asked how the NCPO could clarify this with Amnesty International, the spokesman said authorities will have to explain according to the facts.

Maj Gen Piyaphong said as for any calls which contravene the law, the NCPO will have to explain they cannot be complied with.

Maj Gen Piyaphong, who also heads the 11th Military Circle, said authorities have tried to explain to people that the country is now moving toward the muchanticipated election early next year.

After the poll, the NCPO will transfer power to the new government and end its role in response to the 2017 charter, according to the spokesman.

Maj Gen Piyaphong said not many Thais want to see the election held before early next year, which was promised by the prime minister, and that before then the NCPO wants to ask for cooperation in keeping things in line with the law.

Anyone who breaks the law must be dealt with, he added.

The NCPO has told police to take legal action against 62 people who took part in a protest to mark the fourth anniversary of the coup on May 22 at Thammasat University. Most protesters were prevented leaving the university premise to march on Government House that day.

The instruction came visa NCPO legal team chief Col Burin Thongpraphai, according to deputy police chief Pol Gen Srivara Ransibrahmanakul.

The NCPO demanded police press charges against 21 people for breaching a ban on political gatherings of five or more people without a permit and violating Section 116 of the Criminal Code on sedition, Pol Gen Srivara said. Of these, 15 have already been charged.

The NCPO also wanted police to bring a single charge of illegal assembly of more than five people against another 41 individuals, the deputy police chief said, adding investigators will gather evidence and summon people to acknowledge the charge.

Last Friday, Amnesty International urged people to write to various Thai state agencies calling on them to drop all criminal proceedings against the 15 activists who were charged.

They include Rangsiman Rome, leader of the Democracy Restoration Group, and Sirawit Serithiwat, who leads a group called “Start-up People”.

According to Amnesty International, people should also ask the authorities to repeal or amend all laws which restrict the right to peaceful assembly, and allow individuals to exercise their rights without intimidation or harassment.

Mr Rangsiman said on his Facebook page that the charges were signs of a dictatorship readying itself to cling to power.