FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Lawyers call for end to Article 44 order at Temple

Lawyers call for end to Article 44 order at Temple

The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre (TLHRC) has called on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to stop using the Article 44 order against the Pathum Thani-based Dhammakaya Temple and to use normal justice procedures instead.

The TLHRC said in a statement that the use of the Article 44 order might lead to human rights violations.
The order fully authorises officers to take actions beyond their usual duties bestowed by the normal justice procedure such as seize an area, control infrastructure, search premises, vehicles and persons as well as dismantle structures or blockage. 
These actions could affect the right and liberty of at least 6,000 people within the compound, many of whom have not been accused of any wrongdoing nor wanted by arrest warrants. 
They lawyers said the order was also against the rule of law, as it specifically applied only to the temple, and it might also be against other international treaties that Thailand has ratified. 
 

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