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Published on October 20, 2007

"With the election looming, it is inappropriate to push for the passage of a legislative draft that has far-reaching implications on human rights," NHRC chairman Saneh Chamarik said.

Saneh said the draft, even in its revised version, had many provisions that infringe on human rights and key clauses of the 2007 Constitution.

The draft provisions grant immunity for security officials and soldiers that is contrary to the system of checks and balances in which the judiciary should be allowed to rule on the dispensing of executive power, he said.

"The immunity, if approved, will allow the Internal Security Operations Command and its overseeing committee to be above the rule of law," he said.

The National Legislative Assembly should not debate the draft until an elected government has a chance to scrutinise it, he added. NHRC member Vasant Panich said he might petition the Constitution Court to nullify it on grounds of violating basic rights enshrined by charter provisions.

Atthayut Butrsripoom The Nation