Illegally jailed red shirts may be bailed

Every so often there is a story in the media that boggles the mind. This is one of those, and appeared in The Nation.

The report begins with a claim that the Abhisit Vejjajiva government’s decision to approve “the temporary release of some of the 104 red-shirt members who have been detained in connection [with] the Bangkok unrest in April and May” is a “move that could boost the chances of elusive reconciliation with the anti-government movement…”.

While some might see such a move as an attempt to divide red shirts, PPT asks why a government that has loudly proclaimed a commitment to reconciliation has waited 7 months to make an obvious gesture.

But then there are the claims that are jaw-dropping. Prime Minister Abhisit “said that in practice, public prosecutors, police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) would not oppose bail applications for those reds facing misdemeanour charges. He stressed that the courts would, however, have the final say on whether to grant bail.”

PPT understands a misdemeanor as a minor criminal offense, an instance of misbehavior or a misdeed. The premier is saying that these 104 incarcerated red shirts have been kept in jail without bail for minor offences over 7 months!

This was confirmed by DSI chief Tharit Pengdit who said that most of the 104 detainees, have been held for “minor violations such as the blocking of traffic, joining the protest and threatening the government…” .

And it gets worse: “The temporary release of some of the red shirts is being processed upon the recommendation of the Kanit na Nakorn panel…. Kanit’s panel reasoned in its proposal to the Cabinet that all detainees have a right to be temporarily freed on bail…”

This means that these 104 red shirts have been held in breach of law.

And worse still: “Their original detention had not been conducted in line with legal procedures and basically violated their human rights…”.

Yes, 104 red shirts have apparently been illegally arrested and illegally incarcerated!

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