Pheu Thai calls for freedom of speech ahead of plebiscite
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The Pheu Thai Party has urged the government to amend the referendum law to allow both sides of the political divide to campaign freely for votes ahead of the plebiscite on the draft charter.
In a three-page statement released Friday, the previously ruling party said that the 2016 Referendum Act for the Draft Constitution should be revised because it contained clauses that “limit the people’s rights to express their opinions” and some “ambiguous” provisions.
“Pheu Thai Party sees that the best way out is to make further amendments to the Referendum Act 2016 so that it is clear, fair and is in line with the international standard,” the statement said.
“All sectors should be able to fully express their opinions and conduct campaigns for the referendum. When the people are able to fully express their opinions, whatever the outcome, the result will become acceptable. But if the situation is left as it is now, there will only be more conflicts.”
The party noted that Article 7 of the referendum law guaranteed individuals’ right to express and disseminate their opinions in an honest manner that did not breach the law. But Article 10 allows Constitution Drafting Commission officials to freely disseminate and publicise contents of the draft charter.
Pheu Thai said that due to its “ambiguous provision”, Article 61 would allow authorities to “make broad interpretations” that could result in offenders being jailed for up to 10 years.
