Rights panel calls on NLA to review public gatherings bill
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THE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday called on the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to review the bill on public gatherings as the draft is deemed to be in violation of international practices of human rights and freedom.
The NHRC met on January 19 and resolved to present its recommendations to the NLA. The changes are:
Identify managers of public gatherings, not those who invite or call people to join the gatherings;
People should not be required to seek permission before holding a public gathering because it is against the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a signatory;
Ministers should not be allowed to work beyond their power in restricting locations where public gatherings can be held;
It is not suitable to fix hours at which public gatherings can be held;
State officials should not be allowed to ban public gatherings if written notification is not submitted more than 24 hours in advance as required;
Officials should only be allowed to cancel gatherings that affect national security;
State officials should not be empowered to search, freeze assets or dismantle properties;
State officials dealing with public gatherings must not carry arms;
Offenders cannot be tried in criminal court and cases should be filed according to type and nature of cases.
