Thailand’s red-shirts meet UN high commissioner for human rights hinh anh 1The red-shirt supporters in a pro-Government rally in 2014 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) – Key red-shirt figures in Thailand met on June 20 with representatives of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Bangkok to discuss human rights infringement issues, ahead of the upcoming referendum on the new constitution.

The event took place in the wake of Thai police’s crackdown on referendum anti-fraud centres established by the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

The UDD’s leader, Jatuporn Prompan, said many red-shirt supporters were arrested and being tried at the Military Court after defying the authorities and opening the centres.

He urged Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to stop intimidating opposition voices as it was undemocratic. He also demanded the PM allow the people to get involved in the referendum process, vowing to address the issue with the OHCHR, he said before meeting OHCHR officials.

Out of 76 anti-fraud provincial centres, 24 have been successfully opened while 30 were prevented from opening, and there were intimidation by the junta’s security personnel at 22 other centres, Jatuporn Prompan said.-VNA
VNA