Government sincere in protecting human rights: Spokesman

BANGKOK, May 28 (TNA) -- Although the present Thai government is not elected, it never thought of violating anybody’s rights while it does not want to see anyone stays above the law, said a government spokesman spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd. Maj Gen Sansern said on contrary, if ministers of an elected government suppress the opposite side by citing policy, for example, suppression of drug trafficking or influential persons, causing several deaths and disappearances, or controlling powers which cause corruption, then the society should consider whether these acts violate human rights. He said the present government has said repeatedly that Thailand had suffered severe damages from mismanagement of the adminstration in the past, forcing the military to take over the country to restore peace and lay foundation which could achieve a perfect democracy and reform the country as demanded by majority of the people. New laws have been issued aimed at accelerating the government’s work with total efficient, he said. “The government is sincere in protecting people’s human rights including those who break the law on an equal basis,” said Maj Gen Sansern. “It doesn’t use violence, torture or any other deeds which would violate international human rights principle.” Maj Gen Sansern’s remarks were made after the UN Human Rights Office for Southeast Asia said in a press statement issued earlier this week that it welcomed Thailand’s decision to enact a law to criminalise torture and enforced disappearances, and to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The draft law provides penalties for government officials who commit torture of up to 20 years imprisonment, 30 years if the torture leads to serious injury, and life imprisonment if the torture results in death. Officials who commit enforced disappearance face up to 20 years in prison and life imprisonment if death results. (TNA)