BANGKOK (AP) — An international human rights group on Thursday called on Thailand’s ruling military to end what it says is a “disturbing pattern of repression” in the country since the army seized power in a May coup.
Amnesty International made the appeal in a new report, saying it has received credible reports that detainees have been tortured. The military, including coup leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ochoa, has denied such allegations. Junta spokesmen could not be immediately reached Thursday for comment.
“Three months since the coup, a picture emerges from our investigations of widespread and far-reaching human rights violations perpetrated by the military government that are ongoing,” Richard Bennett, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Director, wrote in the report.
“The Thai authorities should end this disturbing pattern of repression, end human rights violations, respect its international human rights obligations and allow open debate and discussion — all of which are vital to the country’s future,” he wrote.
The army has justified the May 22 takeover, saying it had to act to restores stability after half a year of political protests which had paralyzed the former government and triggered sporadic violence which left dozens of people dead and close to 1,000 injured.
Since then, the junta showed no tolerance for dissent and crushed open debate on the nation’s fate. Although the country is now peaceful and soldiers are not deployed in the streets, martial law is in effect and political assemblies of more than five people are banned.
Amnesty said 665 people have been summoned or detained by the junta so far, and a breakdown of those targeted indicated “a clear case of political persecution and an attempt to silence dissent.”
The vast majority were politicians who opposed to the coup, along with academics, activists and protesters who have engaged in peaceful demonstrations. Only 51 were members of political groups who opposed the ousted government.
Although most of those detained were freed within a week, Amnesty criticized the fact they were held without charge or trials and security forces have revoked passports and detained or threatened to detain family members of those refusing to report.
