Stop using Article 44, Mahidol University’s institute urges Prayut
Human rights advocates called for junta chief to stop exercising his superpower through Article 44 under the interim charter, citing that the practice violates rule of law.
“Using the article [to solve problems] is using dictator power, against rule of law, lacks checks and balances, and it is illegitimate,” said a statement issued by the Institute for Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University, late Saturday night.
The 2014 interim charter allows head of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to exercise his power via Article 44.
According to the statement, the NCPO chief had exercised the power to issue nine orders, including putting Dhammakaya Temple and surroundings area as controlled area, this month.
The statement was released hours after a middle-aged man hanged himself from a 100-metre-high radio antenna in an apparent protest against the ongoing siege of the controversial Dhammakaya Temple.
The man called on the government to revoke the Article 44 order before 9pm on Saturday or he would kill himself.
“The Article 44 is used too often and without sense of urgency. In many cases, the government and authorities are able to enforce by normal laws,” said the statement.
