Rights group calls for end to martial law

Rights group calls for end to martial law

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights yesterday urged the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to revoke the imposition of martial law, and stop the summons and detention of people.

Thanaphol: Allegedly breached conditions

The group spoke out after Thanapol Eawsakul, the editor and publisher of Fa Diew Kan (Same Sky) magazine, was re-arrested in the early afternoon yesterday by the military, allegedly for breaching the conditions of his release.

The lawyers group also urged the NCPO to stop detaining people and stop trying civilians in the military court.

The military called Mr Thanapol about 12.30pm yesterday asking him to meet authorities at a coffee shop on Soi Phahon Yothin 7. But the meeting turned out to be an arrest.

From the coffee shop, Mr Thanapol was taken by plainclothes military officers to the 2nd Cavalry Division headquarters at Sanam Pao for questioning before being handed over to the Crime Suppression Division police.

A TLHR lawyer representing Mr Thanpol said he contacted Lt Col Burin Thongprapai, a Judge Advocate-General's Department officer, who was in charge of the arrest.

The officer told the lawyer that Mr Thanapol was re-arrested because he had posted a message on his Facebook page in violation of a condition of his release. The military had not filed any charges against him.

The lawyer said Mr Thanapol could again be detained up to seven days under martial law.

The lawyers' group said the arrest and detention were conducted with no transparency or due process of law. The officials arresting Mr Thanapol declined to identify themselves.

Mr Thanapol was arrested in connection with an anti-coup protest in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on May 23. He was one of those summoned to report to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) under Order No.5.

After reporting to the NCPO, he was detained for seven days under martial law and released on condition that he must not travel abroad or conduct political activities in a way that could spur conflicts in society.

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