Chalerm, police chief skip NHRC hearing again
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Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung and the national police chief failed to show up to testify to the National Human Rights Commission yesterday on the government's imposition of the Internal Security Act to control an anti-government rally last mont
They sent representatives instead to inform the NHRC about handling of the Pitak Siam rally on November 24.
It was the second time an NHRC subcommittee has called Chalerm and Adul to explain after they postponed an appearance at the NHRC on 7 December.
NHRC subcommittee chairman Niran Pitakwatchara is reviewing four actions by the government – denying access to the rally site, using excessive force and teargas against protesters, blocking ambulances from servicing the injured, and arresting news crews on duty.
Pornchart Bunnag from the National Security Council represented Chalerm, while Deputy Police Chief Worapong Chiewpreecha represented National Police chief General Adul Saengsingkaew clarifying to the NHRC.
They insisted that the government was justified in invoking the Internal Security Act.
Worapong said the government had to use the ISA because general laws were not enough to control the rally so police called on the government to use the ISA.
He insisted police did not plan to use tear gas so they didn’t prepare gas masks to protect themselves.
Police were forced to use tear gas because the protesters were trying to break through the barrier, he said, and police tried their best to avoid clashes.
