Revoke martial law, rights group tells Thailand
"The militarys effective seizure of power and imposition of martial law across the country puts the rights of all Thais in jeopardy," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha declared martial law early Tuesday in what he said was a bid to stem further protest-related violence and to help resolve the countrys political stalemate that has dragged on for six months.
The law empowers the military to control all security matters, impose censorship of the media and enjoy a degree of impunity for its actions. Prayuth denied martial law was a coup.
On Tuesday, the military shut down 14 radio and satellite TV stations seen as under the control of political groups and stationed personnel in the countrys main TV stations to enforce censorship of news.
"Press freedom has been the first casualty, but Thailands friends around the world need to speak out to prevent the assault on other basic rights," Adams said.
The US and European Union on Tuesday issued cautionary statements on the imposition of martial law, appealing to the military to respect democratic principles and speed up the holding of a general election.
Thailand has been without a parliament since December 9. The results of snap election held February 2 were annulled by a court ruling, and no new polling date has yet been confirmed.
"The priority now is to set a clear timetable for early elections and establish as soon as possible a fully functioning government with democratic legitimacy," the EU said in a statement from Brussels.
To date, the Thai military has not applied the full force of martiallaw.
No curfew has been imposed in Bangkok, where most of the protests have been staged, and only a few troops have been stationed on the streets.