UN experts call on military to ease restrictions, respect rights
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A group of United Nations experts met in Geneva yesterday and issued a statement calling on the military junta to end arbitrary detentions and restrictions on fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
“Public criticism of authorities and the freedom of the Thai media are negatively affected by various measures, including the ban on political gatherings of more than five persons and the reported closure of a vast number of community radio stations,” they said.
“Restoring the space for public dialogue is crucial to allow durable solutions to the political impasse affecting Thailand to be forged,” the experts concluded.
The experts included the UN special rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression Frank La Rue, UN special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association Maina Kiai and Juan E Mendez, UN special rapporteur on torture and other inhumane or degrading treatment.
