NHRC expresses concerns over mass rally

BANGKOK, December 21 (TNA) - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a statement expressing its worries over an anti-government mass rally planned in Bangkok and, probably, several other provinces on Sunday (Dec 22). While appreciating protesters in staging anti-government rallies peacefully and the government for its restraint and avoid using violence against protesters in the past, the NHRC said in its statement, issued on Saturday (Dec 21), that it is worried the planned mass rally, organised by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), could lead to “misunderstanding and eventually to violation of human rights”. The NHRC, therefore, urged that the protesters hold their protest in peaceful manner, do not carry arms and to behave themselves under the democratic system, while the media should present news reports on factual basis and useful to the public. Lastly, the NHRC called for the caretaker government, protesters and concerned agencies to prevent any untoward incident and to treat demonstrators in accordance with universal standards. The protesters have demanded the government to undertake a domestic political reform before the new general election, set on February 2, 2014. (TNA)