Following a protest demanding the government to reconsider the National Energy Policy Committee’s decision to push forward with its plan to construct a coal – fired power plant in Krabi province resulting in the enforcement of law and order by the authorities to disband the protesters, detain the core leaders, compel the protesters to leave the protest site and lodge a petition to the Civil Court to end the protest, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) has closely monitored the situation with serious concern that it would possibly escalate into the acts of violence and human rights violations. In order to avoid further aggravation of tension and conflict, the NHRCT would like to make recommendations as follows:
          1. The government or its concerned agencies should disclose the place of detention of the core leaders, provide an opportunity for and facilitate visits by their relatives or close persons. More importantly, and if possible, caution should be taken with regard to prosecution of these leaders so as to prevent wider rift among public opinions.
          2. The government should consider relevant information and listen carefully to the views of all parties in respect of the people’s right to participation before making a decision to construct a coal – fired power plant. This is in spite of the news report that the Prime Minister has instructed the Office of National Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) to consider the EIA/EHIA report while taking into account the opinion of the Tripartite Committee.
          3. The government and the concerned agencies should treat the protesters on a humanitarian basis by providing them with access to water, food and medicine. This is considered a major component of the human rights principles. In addition, all parties concerned should wait for the Civil Court’s verdict on 20 February 2017 since the investigation officer of Dusit Police Station had already filed a petition requesting for the Court’s order to end the demonstration in accordance with the Public Assembly Act B.E. 2558 (2015).
              The NHRCT earnestly hopes that all parties would be tolerant of the different opinions. The government itself should treat those having opposing views by respecting their rights and liberties based on the universal standard of human rights principles.

 National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
18 February 2017
 

18/02/2017