---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: <SAPA> FA Update no 7 - statement of some Thai civil society
organizations against the coup From: "anselmo" <anselmo@forum-asia.org>
Date: Thu, September 21, 2006 1:27
To: sapa@googlegroups.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Members and Friends of FORUM-ASIA,
This evening (Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006), 80 persons representing about 20
local Thai NGOs, civil society organizations and student movement met to
discuss the new political situation created by the military coup yesterday
and issued the statement against the coup including some actions this
week. They are mainly 20-30s and belong to progressive section of civil
society organizations in Thailand such as labor or student movement.
Generally speaking, civil society organizations are united against
Thakshin, but divided about the coup.
Below is a draft translation of their statement. The official one will be
sent to you later on if available. I will continue to send other
statements by local or international NGOs on the military coup.
During their meeting, the Thai King announced the statement endorsing the
military coup and asking people to follow the order of the "Administrative
Reform Council (ARC)", governing body of the military coup. Previously
ARC announced that they would be in power for only two weeks during which
they will form a civilian government.
We are consulting with other regional NGOs based in Thailand about common
position on the issue. I will keep you informed of the progress or
result.
In justice and solidarity,
Anselmo Lee
Executive Director
FORUM-ASIA Regional Secretariat
<mailto:anselmo@forum-asia.org> anselmo@forum-asia.org / Mobile +66 (0)1
868 9178
=============
Statement from "19 September Network against Coup d'etat"
According to a group of persons under the name "Administrative Reform
Council (ARC) under the Democratic System", had staged the coup d'etat and
remove the power from a government elected under the constitution that was
drafted by the people. Abolishing the constitution, harassing the media,
and putting an end to the independent agencies are regarded as acts of
abolishing the parliamentary democracy system. This act will lead to the
outcome like the previous coups that had happened in Thai society in the
past.
We, "19 September Network against Coup d'etat", are consisted of social
activists, students, and regular citizens are opposed to the way of
building democracy through the point of the guns. There is no such thing
as building democracy through destroying democracy at the same time in the
world.
We wanted to state that
1. We do not accept the political power of the military in intervening
with the democratic system, by saying that they have intervene to solve
the social conflict, since we see that the political conflicts and freedom
of expression under the constitution are normal in democracy. The role of
the military is not to solve the political problem by coup d'etat. Such an
act reflects the lack of political awareness and is regressive for the
developments of democracy. Any political solving processes should happen
within the scope of laws and constitution, under the international
democracy standards.
2. We ask the military to return back to theirs divisions and bases; and
stop their involvement in the coup d'etat process. And stop intervening
the basic rights of the people; such as freedom to expressions and bring
the political procedures back regular period before the coup d'etat (19
September 2006)
3. We would like to invite people that are against the coup d'etat to
express their thoughts through:
- Express through using black color as the symbol (wear black
shirts, tie, or arm)
- Turn on the front lights of your car during the day
- Organize talks and discussions on democracy within the family,
company, organizations, friends, and at schools/universities.
- Meet and gather peacefully and openly on Friday 22 September
2006 at the water fountains, Siam Paragon (Please wear black) from 6.00 pm
onward.
19 September Network against Coup d'etat
(Issued: 20 September 2006)
www.19sep.org