ACHR deplores Thai coup; Demands sanctions against Generals

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Condemning the coup in Thailand, the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today urged the international community not to recognise the military junta and immediately impose sanctions against the generals.

''The international community, especially the United States, European Union, ASEAN and all other democratic countries are being urged not to engage with the leaders of the coup de tat,'' ACHR Director Suhas Chakma said.

''Immediate sanctions must be imposed against the military generals of Thailand, including visa ban and a freeze on assets of the members of the Administrative Regional Council and other senior members of the Thai Army,'' he added.

The ACHR Director said a ban on technical assistance, on financing and assistance related to military activities must also be considered.

''The coup in Thailand is a threat to democracy all over the world...If the latest coup in Thailand is justified, similar military interventions in a situation of political flux such as in Mexico will also be justified,'' he added He urged the ongoing 61st sessions of the UNGA and the 2nd session of the UNHRC to invite Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to address the bodies to ''send a clear message that the United Nations only recognises civilian authorities in Thailand''.

''The UNGA and UNHRC have been urged to hold special debates on the situation in Thailand and adopt appropriate resolutions for the restoration of democracy, freedom of press and release of all the detainees,'' he added.

Deploring the repressive measures taken by the military including detention of Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya, he said foreign news channels have been taken off the air while Thai televisions' news is being gagged.

"It is essential that King Bhumibol Adulyadej issues a public statement to ensure that the audience granted to the military junta yesterday is not misconstrued as supporting the coup,'' said Mr Chakma.

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