Human rights groups denounced the Thai junta’s new law which broadens its authority in all branches of governance, saying that it is against democracy and human rights.
On 7 April 2015, Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA) together with networks of pro-democracy law academics, lawyers, and community activists from southern Thailand issued a public statement against the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Order No. 3/2015, which replaced the martial law with Section 44 of the Interim Charter in the name of national security.
About 130 people from various organisations, such as Union of Civil Liberty (UCL) and Network of Southern Thailand’s Academics for Society and Community, signed the letter to confirm the statement against the junta’s new power tool and urge the regime to revoke the law.
The statement pointed out that the invocation of Section 44 goes against the division of governance under the democratic system and principles of human rights.
“Granting the NCPO authorities over legislative, executive, and judicial branches of governance is a complete integration of power which is against the separation of state authority to balance and prevent the abuse of power of the rulers,” stated the letter.
The HRLA statement also mentioned that the fact that Order No. 3/2015 allows the military personnel total control over judicial system to arrest, inquire, and try civilian on charges related to national security is against International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Thailand ratified.
The ICCPR states that the state parties shall have obligations to adhere to basic principles of human rights, encourage freedom of expression, and promote democracy.
Moreover, the order gives the junta’s total control over media and information, which is against human rights and democracy, the HRLA added.
