วันพุธ, กันยายน 30, 2558

World leaders urged to press military junta on human rights ‘crisis’ in Thailand




ข่าวด่วน .....(๒๘ กันยายน ๕๘)....

สมาชิกรัฐสภายุโรป เตรียมเสนอการยกระดับมาตราการตอบโต้ ประเทศไทย....
( หรือ การคว่ำบาตรทางการค้า จะเริ่มนับถอยหลังแล้ว...)

สมาชิกรัฐสภายุโรปฯ (Mr.Marc Tarabella ) ได้เรียกร้องให้ ผู้นำนานาชาติ กดดัน นายประยุทธ์ จันท์โอชา ในการประชุมที่ สหประชาชาติ UN และยังได้กล่าวถึงการมาตราการตอบโต้รัฐบาลไทยดังต่อไป.....

".....สถานการณ์ในประเทศไทยในปัจจุบันเป็นที่น่าเศร้ามามาก ถึงแม้ประเทศไทยจะเป็นพันธมิตรที่สำคัญทางการค้าสำหรับสหภาพยุโรป แต่ยังมีประเด็นอื่น ๆ ที่จะนำมาพิจารณาควบคู่กัน ไม่ว่าจะเป็น สิทธิมนุษยชนและประชาธิปไตยในประเทศไทย ซึ่งผมได้ยึดถือและให้ความสำคัญ(อย่างจริงใจ) เป็นอย่างยิ่งว่า ประเด็นเหล่านี้เป็นปัญหาที่ควรได้รับการพิจารณาก่อนจะมีท่าทีทางการค้า(ของสหภาพยุโรป) ต่อไปนั้น และเป็นสิ่งที่ผมตั้งใจที่จะนำมาพูดคุยกับคณะกรรมาธิการ เพื่อยกระดับมาตราการตอบโต้ ในช่วงประชุมรัฐสภายุโรปต่อไป..... " กล่าวโดย Mr.Marc Tarabella สมาชิกรัฐสภายุโรปฯ

๋๋James Walsky
...

World leaders urged to press military junta on human rights ‘crisis’ in Thailand

Martin Banks | September 28, 2015
eureporter

A leading MEP will say he supports calls for Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (pictured) to give assurances about human rights and democracy in the country when he gives a landmark speech in the United Nations today (29 September).

There is an increasing clamour for Prayut to be pressed about issues such as human trafficking and returning democracy to the Thai people when he makes his debut at the UN General Assembly in New York.

He is expected to face tough questions, particularly those concerning the repression of human rights as well as elections in Thailand, which have been delayed several times and will not be held now until the middle of 2017.

Human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch (HRW), are applying pressure, urging world leaders to take the opportunity of his appearance before the UN to condemn Thailand’s actions.

Members of the Thai diaspora have openly opposed the military coup the general led in May 2014 and are planning to turn up in New York to challenge him.

Speaking ahead of the much-awaited speech, Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella, who is vice chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), told this website that human rights should be top of the agenda when the general addresses the UN.

Tarabella, a Socialist deputy, said: “The situation in Thailand at present is very sad.It is an important commercial partner for the EU but there are also other issues to be taken into account such as human rights and a viable democracy, two principles I hold very dear to my heart.

“Behind the commercial aspects is also the situation at present of Thai citizens. These are the issues which should be preoccupying us and is something I intend to raise with the Commission during the next parliamentary plenary.”

His comments are echoed by Fraser Cameron, Director of the EU-Asia Centre in Brussels, who told EU Reporter: “The EU will be hoping that the prime minister outlines a clear timetable for the restoration of democracy in Thailand when he addresses the UN on Tuesday. The EU also expects him to address the plight of those working in appalling conditions on Thai fishing vessels.”

A spokesman for the European External Action Service (EEAS) said it “stood by” the EU’s position on Thailand which includes a call for the restoration of democracy and early elections.

Prayut will give a 10 minute speech in which he is expected to outline Thailand’s sustainable development plan.

The trip, which concludes on 1 October, coincides with a damning new HRW report which says world leaders should hold Prayut accountable for his pledges on rights and democracy.

The report says the UN must call on Prayut to “end repression of human rights and quickly restore democratic civilian rule.”

It says that since the coup, Thai authorities have continued to violate the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. The respected organisation also says ruling National Council for Peace and Order grants “broad authority” to the junta to carry out policies and actions “without any effective oversight or accountability” for human rights abuses.

Brad Adams, Asia director for HRW, said, “Thailand’s junta leader should get the welcome he deserves at the UN which is an earful about the junta’s abysmal human rights record. The leaders attending the General Assembly should use their meetings with General Prayut to urge and end to the junta’s wave of repression and restore democratic civilian rule.”

He adds, “World leaders should not tread lightly in broaching Thailand’s rights violations with Prayut. By being forthright in raising concerns, governmens can help reverse the human rights crisis in Thailand and put the country on the path toward civilian democratic rule.”

Thailand is campaigning for a non permanent seat on the UN Security Council in an election that will be held in October next year.

The General Assembly presents an “important opportunity” for concerned governments an UN officials to urge Prayut to act immediately on a broad range of human rights concerns, including the military’s “sweeping an unchecked” powers, says HRW.

Since coming to power in a coup, Prayut has imposed a ban on protests, political activities and any public challenges to his regime.

Some violators of the ban have been sent to stand trial under martial court where they face up to years in prison if found guilty by the all military judges.

The speech in the UN comes at a time of mounting instability in Thailand,including concern about the health of the revered but frail King Bhumibol Adulyadej.