Thailand sets up panel on human rights

BANGKOK, August 7 (TNA) - Thailand's army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have formed a joint working group to communicate with the international community on human right issues. Acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who is also Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, told journalists on Thursday the joint working group will work proactively and swiftly, as international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have demanded that Thailand investigate an allegation by a red-shirt activist, Kritsuda Khunasen, that authorities physically hurt her during her detention, following the military intervention by the junta on May 22, 2014. Sihasak referred to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch, elaborating that the issue followed Thailand's political change, causing concerns by many parties which might not receive sufficient information or might misunderstand matters. Sihasak acknowledged, apart from working swiftly and proactively, the joint working group will give the overall picture of the human right situation in Thailand for the time being. Kritsuda, who is in Europe, claimed that she and her boyfriend were mentally and physically hurt during their detention by soldiers for nearly one month after the May 22 military intervention, the allegation of which has been denied by the Thai junta.(TNA)