Free discussion vital for referendum: EU delegation
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 19/05/2016 - 13:13
The EU Delegation has urged the junta to allow free discussion on the draft charter, saying that free discussion is a prerequisite for political reconciliation.
Werner Langen, chairman of EU Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the ASEAN, said that EU delegation was concerned by the junta's laws that criminalize the criticism against the charter draft, saying that political reconciliation cannot happen if the junta does not listen to everyone's voices, BBC Thai reported on Wednesday, 18 May 2015.
According to BBC Thai, Langen said this during the meeting between him, accompanied by eight EU Commissioners of Human Rights, and Panya Phunsap, the Deputy Permanent Secretariat of Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday.
Langen added that EU delegation was also concerned that the junta might prolong its power and create a climate of intimidation because the military tend to intervene in Thai politics whenever a conflict happens in the country.
However, Langen said that EU Delegation was optimistic on the future of Thailand, and hoped that Thailand will eventually return to democracy so that the negotiation process of the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement, which has been frozen since the 2014 coup, could be continued, reported BBC Thai.
Cr.Prachatai
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 19/05/2016 - 13:13
The EU Delegation has urged the junta to allow free discussion on the draft charter, saying that free discussion is a prerequisite for political reconciliation.
Werner Langen, chairman of EU Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the ASEAN, said that EU delegation was concerned by the junta's laws that criminalize the criticism against the charter draft, saying that political reconciliation cannot happen if the junta does not listen to everyone's voices, BBC Thai reported on Wednesday, 18 May 2015.
According to BBC Thai, Langen said this during the meeting between him, accompanied by eight EU Commissioners of Human Rights, and Panya Phunsap, the Deputy Permanent Secretariat of Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday.
Langen added that EU delegation was also concerned that the junta might prolong its power and create a climate of intimidation because the military tend to intervene in Thai politics whenever a conflict happens in the country.
However, Langen said that EU Delegation was optimistic on the future of Thailand, and hoped that Thailand will eventually return to democracy so that the negotiation process of the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement, which has been frozen since the 2014 coup, could be continued, reported BBC Thai.
Cr.Prachatai
