On 17 September 2021, the Working Group to investigate cases of human rights violation related to political demonstrations of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) held a meeting to listen to the facts concerning police crowd control measures and operations from representatives of the Royal Thai Police and the Metropolitan Police Headquarters led by Police General Damrongsak Kittipraphat, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. The Working Group received clarification on various issues on the operation, including legal provisions mandated for their operation, regulations and plans for the implementation of crowd control police officers, operational guidelines and measures and reasons for the use of those measures. The meeting has followed the procedures for the investigation of human rights violations for the preparation of investigation report which will be presented to all parties concerned soon.
            Later on, the NHRCT consulted with representatives of the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection of the Ministry of Justice, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security how to protect the rights of children and youth,  to provide remedies to injured persons and general public affected by demonstrations and police operations, and to open space to listen to children, youth and people with different opinions in a peaceful and constructive way.
            Previously, the NHRCT visited the areas to observe demonstrations and listened to facts from various groups, including protesters, media and residents in the affected areas. In addition, the NHRCT organized a forum to find ways out of the conflict with relevant agencies such as human rights organizations, scholars on peace studies and child rights as well as child psychologists. The NHRCT also visited to observe the detention of children and youth and visited the seriously injured police officers and youth protesters to coordinate and protect their human rights.
            The NHRCT reaffirms its independent and impartial investigation by listening to the facts from all parties in all aspects. The NHRCT strongly hopes that all sectors of society will work together to resolve political conflicts through peaceful means and to uphold human rights principles.
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