Human Rights Watch calls for immediate release of Watana

The Human Rights Watch said the National Council for Peace and Order showed its intolerance to criticisms and oppositions by arresting and detaining Watana simply for publicly opposing the draft constitution.

“The Thai junta, by gagging a prominent critic, has heightened the climate of fear ahead of the constitutional referendum,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. 

“The detention of Watana Muangsook for openly opposing the draft charter is a clear warning that the junta is prepared use intimidation and arrests to get their way in the referendum.”

The junta ordered Watana to report to the 11th Army Circle Camp in Bangkok at 11 a.m. on April 18. He was later transferred to a military facility at the 9th Infantry Division in Kanchanaburi province near the Thai-Burmese border. 

On April 19, Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan said in a media interview that Watana was detained for speaking out on the draft constitution.

“The junta’s intolerance of opposition to the draft constitution, evidenced by Watana’s detention and new oppressive legislation, raises concerns of heightened repression prior to the referendum”, Human Rights Watch said in a press statement. 

“If people can’t debate a proposed constitution, then nothing is safe for public discussion,” Adams said. “The junta’s pledges to restore democratic rule and respect for human rights have proven meaningless. Friends of Thailand from around the world should press General Prayut to immediately order an end to arbitrary arrest of critics and dissenters, and release all those being held for peaceful expression of opinions.”