MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Thai members of parliament should reject a draft law that would allow the military to detain civilians without charge for three months, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Friday.
"Thailand's government is trying to hand the military unchecked authority to detain civilians. Thai lawmakers should reject this military power grab that puts all citizens at risk of prolonged detention without charge," Brad Adams, the organization's Asia director, said.
The proposed revision to the Military Court Act, which should be considered by Thai lawmakers by the end of February, would allow local military commanders to hold civilians for 84 days without charge or judicial oversight, HRW reported.
A military coup in Thailand took place on May 22, two days after Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, the current prime minister, introduced martial law in the country. In the days that followed the coup, military authorities announced they were targeting national reconciliation and new elections.
According to HRW, the armed forces violated human rights in arbitrarily detaining numerous civilians and and trying many people in military courts.
