Paris, Bangkok, 23 May 2015: Yesterday’s arbitrary arrests of students and activists are the latest example of the Thai military junta’s relentless repression of all forms of peaceful dissent, FIDH and its member organization Union for Civil Liberty (UCL) said today.
“Yesterday’s arbitrary arrests confirm that Thailand is ruled by a brutal dictatorship that has no respect for human rights and no tolerance for dissent,” said FIDH President Karim Lahidji. “The international community must vigorously condemn the crackdown.”
On 22 May, authorities arrested about 50 students and activists during three separate peaceful demonstrations against the May 2014 coup - two in Bangkok and the other in the northeastern city of Khon Kaen.
In Khon Kaen, authorities arrested seven students from the Dao Din group for demonstrating against the coup at the city’s Democracy Monument. The seven were detained at the local Sri Phatcharin Army Camp and charged under junta Announcement 7/2557, which prohibits gatherings of more than five people. They were all released on bail this morning.
In Bangkok, 11 members from the Young People for Social Democracy Movement were briefly detained in the early afternoon at the Chana Songkhram police station after they attempted to hold a political forum at the October 14 Memorial.
In the evening, police and unidentified men wearing civilian clothes arrested at least 30 students who had gathered outside the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Centre (BACC) to mark the one-year anniversary of the May 2014 coup. Many of the students were forcefully dragged into the BACC before being transported and taken into custody at the Pathumwan police station. Two injured students received treatment at nearby hospitals. All the detained students were released without charges this morning.
“As General Prayuth was reiterating he would return happiness to the people during his weekly televised speech, dozens of peaceful student demonstrators were detained in Bangkok. This perfectly illustrates the contrast between the junta’s empty words and its repressive actions,” said UCL Chairman Jaturong Boonyarattanasoontorn.
FIDH and UCL call on the authorities to end the arbitrary arrests of peaceful protestors. The two organizations also urge the authorities to respect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in line with Thailand’s obligations under international law.
Press contacts:
FIDH: Mr. Arthur Manet (French, English, Spanish) - Tel: +33672284294 (Paris)
UCL: Mr. Jaturong Boonyarattanasoontorn (Thai, English) - Tel: +66890571755 (Bangkok)