MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On March 29, Thailand's Constitution Drafting Commission said that the nationwide referendum on the new draft constitution would be held on August 7.
The draft document had been amended 88 times based on 258 citizen submissions and 30 academic seminars.
"The Thai junta is using threats and intimidation to bludgeon people into supporting a constitution that would prolong military rule. The generals expect the Thai people to just shut up, obey their orders, and approve their draft constitution without any discussion or debate," Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement published on its website.
The rights watchdog also said that Thailand’s government should immediately revoke its arbitrary restrictions on free expression and called on the United Nations (UN) and other countries to join the call on Bangkok to ensure a fair referendum.
"The UN and Thailand’s friends around the world should publicly make clear to Bangkok that they will only recognize a referendum that meets international standards. A free and fair referendum affecting Thailand’s future can’t be held when the rights of people to speak and exchange their views is suppressed," Adams stressed.
Thailand’s previous draft constitution failed to pass a parliamentary vote. Experts believe the latest draft will go through both the cabinet and parliament, but are uncertain over the constitution’s fate in a public vote.
Among the draft constitution’s disputed sections, there is an emergency provision allowing the appointment of an unelected prime minister and the upper house of parliament.
Thailand’s current government came into power following a May 22, 2014 military coup nearly a year after a political crisis had led to mass anti-government protests.
