Brussels, 23/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 23 May, the European Union called for a swift return to the democratic process in Thailand, where a few hours earlier the army suspended the constitution and most individual liberties - after seven months of political crisis and demonstrations.
“It is of the utmost importance that Thailand returns rapidly to the legitimate democratic process”, said the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, stating that in this respect, the EU stresses “the importance of holding credible and inclusive elections as soon as feasible”. “We call upon all parties to exercise restraint and work together in the interest of the country”, he added. Ashton's spokesperson underlined that “the military must accept and respect the constitutional authority of the civilian power as a basic principle of democratic governance”. He recalled that international human rights standards, including media freedom, must be upheld.
Germany's foreign affairs minister, Frank Walter Steinmeier condemned the military's seizure of power and urged the military to exercise the greatest restraint. He called on the leaders of the army to relaunch the dialogue between the political forces. Steinmeier reiterated that fundamental freedoms protected by the constitution must be guaranteed, including the freedom of the press. (CG)