Bangkok: Senator Angkana Neelapaijit has expressed strong opposition to the proposal of live-streaming executions of drug offenders, arguing that it undermines human dignity and fails to serve as an effective deterrent. She criticized Senator Ahmad Ayuken, who suggested this measure, urging him to study relevant laws more thoroughly and highlighting the potential for such actions to violate the Anti-Disappearance Act.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Angkana, who chairs the Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection, voiced her concerns during a Senate meeting. She recounted previous instances, such as the drug war that resulted in the deaths of approximately 2,000 individuals without holding any offenders accountable. She questioned the efficacy of current drug suppression efforts and criticized the ONCB law that allows for a three-day detention period, which she considers excessively long.
Ms. Angkana emphasized that the proposal to broadcast executions live is a violation of human dignity, as outlined in Article 6 of the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act. She warned that such measures could desensitize the public, particularly young people, to violence and fail to address the root causes of drug-related issues. Instead, she called for a systematic approach to tackle major offenders without resorting to violent methods.
Addressing concerns about potential false accusations, Ms. Angkana highlighted the plight of stateless ethnic groups in the North, who often face wrongful allegations due to their lack of bank accounts and reliance on cash. She noted that while the number of drug offenders in prison has decreased, many remain unaccounted for in communities, families, or hospitals. She advocated for decisive but non-violent measures to eliminate drugs, urging the government to balance law enforcement with the protection of human rights.
In response to whether the proposal reflects the views of the Senate as a whole, Ms. Angkana clarified that it represents the opinion of an individual senator. However, she acknowledged the public perception of support due to the visible backing from other senators. She stressed the importance of freedom of expression but cautioned against presenting such issues publicly, as it might lead to further violence and criticism.
In conclusion, Ms. Angkana reiterated that execution requires a court verdict and substantial evidence, and any suggestion otherwise could be misconstrued as acceptance of inhumane practices. She urged policymakers to focus on upholding human dignity and exploring effective, lawful solutions to the drug problem.