Justice Ministry asks UN to respect Thailand

BANGKOK, May 23 (TNA) -- The Rights and Liberties Protection Department under the Justice Ministry urges the United Nations to respect Thai laws in response to its demand the government free pro-election demonstrators immediately. Pitikan Sithidet, director-general of the department, expressed the reaction after the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) issued its demand for the immediate release of 14 demonstrators who were arrested. The group face prosecution for sedition and violation to a ban of the National Council for Peace and Order on a political gathering of more than five people. Their cases already entered the justice system and the charges that police pressed against them were in compliance with laws, Ms Pitikan said. The demonstrators already exercised their right by asking the Administrative Court to allow them to stage their rally but the court dismissed their request, she said. They should respect the rights of the majority and all parties would have to learn the principle of co-existence and respect rights related to co-existence, Ms Pitikan said. “The pro-election group exercised their legal right. When they broke laws, they must be prosecuted. Police must comply with laws. If they were unable to handle rallies, the country would become a failed state,” she said. Ms Pitikan also said that police did not violate any human rights on May 22 and any organisation that issued a complaint should respect rights and laws of the concerned country. (TNA)