Thailand must return to civilian rule : ICJ
Thailand must lift martial law and return the country to civilian rule instead of invoking arbitrary powers under Article 44 of the interim charter, said an international non-governmental organisation.
In its statement, International Commission of Jurists said that ending Martial Law is a necessary step, but replacing it with Article 44 under the interim charter did not address the serious violations of Thailand’s obligations under international human rights law.
It was referring to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's decision to lift the martial law that was imposed shortly before the coup in May. The law has been criticised negatively so he said he would replace with the Article 44.
"Article 44 of the Interim Constitution is drafted so broadly that it could give the head of the junta even greater powers than Martial law,” said Wilder Tayler, secretary general of the ICJ.
“Article 44 would allow the head of the NCPO to issue any orders he wishes under the pretext of strengthening public unity and national security, and also deems any such order to be legal and constitutional, removing any possibility of judicial oversight.”
