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Published on November 12, 2007

Campaign for Human Rights secretary-general Metha Mas-kao said he felt saddened the bill was accepted in principle despite his group's protest.

The bill put the country's democracy and security under threat as it will override the 2007 Constitution. "Passing this law is like staging a coup. Thailand will be like Pakistan in that martial law can be declared in any area easily,'' he said. If the bill takes effect, his group will file a complaint with the United Nations to check the government, the military and the Internal Security Operation Command.

Chulalongkorn University lecturer Vitit Muntarbhorn noted several controversial points in the bill: it gives the police power to bypass the courts when investigating crimes, reduces civil powers, violates the spirit of the Constitution, transgresses international law, exempts officials from responsibility when enforcing the new laws and copies the anti-communist laws.

Human rights activist Dr Chotchuang Chutinathorn describes the bill as a "Hitler law" because German Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler enforced similar legislation during his reign. He said he would seek a Constitution Tribunal ruling on whether the bill violated basic human rights because it allows state officials to be above the law.

Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila said he would seek a ruling from the Ombudsman to interpret the bill.

NLA member Gothom Arya said he would do his best to alter all controversial clauses in the bill during deliberations.

NLA member General Chokchai Hongthong said General Prawit Wongsuwan, the former Army deputy commander, would chair the committee scrutinising the bill.

Wattana Khamchoo,

Supon Thanukrit

The Nation