Yingluck: European parliamentarians concerned about human rights in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 18 (TNA) -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra said representatives of the European Parliament were concerned about human rights in Thailand and the government should protect the rights and return power to people. Referring to the representatives’ meeting with her and executives of the Pheu Thai Party on May 17, Ms Yingluck said the representatives were worried about liberty and would like everyone to have the right to comment on the draft charter to their fullest extent. They also wanted to see the quick restoration of democracy in Thailand, she said. Ms Yingluck said that the European Parliament would seek permission from the government to observe the charter referendum to assure that it would be acceptable generally. She said that she did not mention the Supreme Court’s hearings in a case in which she was accused of dereliction of duty in relation to her loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. The European Parliament followed up reports on the case by itself, she said. Ms Yingluck also said that the government must create international confidence in Thailand so that the country could benefit from international trade, investment and relations. Regarding the second anniversary of the National Council for Peace and Order’s national administration, Ms Yingluck said that it should return power to people soon and guarantee an election that would truly reflect people’s demand. (TNA)