Brussels, 20/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 20 May, the European Union called for a timetable to be set for early elections in Thailand. “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”, said the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in a press release. The spokesperson called on “all parties to exercise restraint and work together in the interest of the country”. On 20 May, the Thai army declared martial law - without consulting the government - and deployed soldiers in the capital Bangkok after months of political crisis and anti-government demonstrations, and after the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was deposed on 7 May.
Ashton's spokesperson urged the military “to respect international human rights standards, including media freedom”. The head of the army has decreed censure of the media, forbidding them to report or distribute any news or photographs that might be harmful to national security.
“Thailand must resolve its political conflict through democratic means. We urge full respect for human rights also in today's difficult situation [20 May]”, said Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. France's Foreign Ministry said it was following “the evolution of the situation carefully, with regard to respect for human rights and civil liberties”. Renewing its call for a peaceful solution to the political crisis, France called for the “respect of the prerogatives of the provisional government, the only legitimate interlocutor” and “called on the competent authorities to set a timetable for organising new parliamentary elections”. “We express our concern following the restrictions announced on the freedom of expression”, said the French Foreign Ministry (our translation).
Ashton's spokesperson reiterated that the EU “has consistently called for dialogue, a peaceful resolution of the political crisis and respect for democratic principles in Thailand”. (CG)