OneWorld.net (U.S.)

OneWorld.net note: The Thai government should overturn restrictions on free speech and freedom of assembly authorized by the state of emergency declared in Bangkok yesterday, says a human rights monitor.

• Protesting former Prime Minister Thaksin's policies outside Thailand's government house. © Ellen Roggemann

  Yesterday, in response to clashes between pro- and anti-government groups, the government extended an emergency decree over Bangkok. According to the Asian Human Rights Commission, "It is conceivable that under the umbrella of this emergency situation there could be a renewed spate of disappearances and killings not only of persons who have been involved in the disturbances of recent weeks but of anyone whom security forces have been waiting for a good opportunity to deal with."

• Civilian responses to the state of emergency have varied so far. While some local bloggers say life in Bangkok remains the same, others are discussing what they perceive as the impact of the protests, noting that certain schools have been temporarily closed and public services like water and electricity may be disrupted.

• In 2005, internal conflict among Muslim separatists in southern Thailand led the government to declare a state of emergency, "censor the media and detain individuals suspected of insurgent activities" in this conflicted region. For more background on human rights and politics in Thailand, visit OneWorld UK's Thailand country guide.

Thailand: State of Emergency should not infringe on human rights

From: Amnesty International USA 

September, 02 2008 

The Thai government should remove restrictions on free speech contained in today's emergency decree, Amnesty International said.

"The government is ultimately responsible for the security of all Thai citizens, regardless of their political views," said Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International's researcher on Thailand. "But the government should not use this state of emergency to silence free speech or infringe on other human rights."

"International law is clear that even under a state of emergency people have the right to voice their opinions on all issues affecting them - including on the emergency decree itself - and to articulate viewpoints that differ from those of the government or groups they oppose".

In addition, the government should limit the decree's current restriction on freedom to assembly to only the areas in Bangkok most affected by the ongoing protests and stand-off among the various political groups.

"These demonstrations and counter-demonstrations show that many Thai people are frustrated with the lack of respect for the rule of law and the lack of accountability. So what is ultimately needed is greater accountability, upholding the rule of law, and more respect for civil and political rights," Zawacki said.

Violent clashes between pro-government demonstrators and the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) outside Bangkok's Government House left one person dead and more than 40 injured, triggering the declaration of a state of emergency earlier today.

Amnesty International urges all political leaders, including those of the PAD, to respect human rights.

Background
PAD members occupied the state-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) television station on 26 August and thousands continue to occupy Government House, which includes the prime minister's office, since that day. Incidents of violence occurred on 29 August at both Government House and the Metropolitan Police Headquarters, and an explosion occurred outside a police guardhouse on 1 September. Dozens of protesters and police have been injured, and nearly 100 protesters detained.

Section 9(3) of Thailand's Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation (2005) prohibits press releases, the distribution or dissemination of letters, publications or any other means of communication containing texts which may instigate fear amongst the people, or is intended to distort information or create understandings of the emergency situation to the extent of affecting the security of state or public order or good morals of the people of the entire Kingdom.

The Thai government has not invoked all provisions of the emergency decree refraining from, among other orders, imposing a curfew on Bangkok. It has also indicated that it would remain in force only as long as necessary.

To read more about human rights and politics in Thailand, visit Amnesty International USA.