Statement of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
on the Operation to search for Phra Dhammajayo at Wat Phra Dhamakaya Temple
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          The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand has followed the incident that occurred around Dhamakaya Temple with serious concern for fear of the escalation into conflict and human rights violations. Taking into account the principles of rules of law and human rights standards, the NHRCT would like to propose the measures to jointly resolve this problem as follows:
          1. The government officials should exercise their restraints and avoid any confrontation that may lead to the violent clash. In searching for the person under warrant, the authorities should respect human dignity, freedom and equality of those who are not involved in this incident.
          2. Monks and the followers of Dhammakaya Temple should remain in sobriety and calm and avoid any attempts to create the atmosphere of misunderstanding possibly leading to the violent conflict. In this connection, the NHRCT urges the Sangha Supreme Council (SCC) to play the important role in providing the appropriate solution to this problem.
          3.  The NHRCT is of the view that the relevant authorities and Dhammakaya Temple’s devotees should cooperate with each other in carrying out their duties in accordance with laws. Other organizations including the CSOs should take part as witness in this searching operation which has to be undertaken in a transparent and accountable manner. If the relevant authorities could not find the suspect, they should cease their operation and revoke the authorization of designated control areas around Dhammakaya Temple and its vicinities imposed by the Head of NCPO’s Order No.5/2560. The provision under the Criminal Procedure Code should be put in place in pursuit of the person under warrant.

 National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
5 March 2017

05/03/2017