Jaran Ditapichai resigned from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday after the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) voted to expel him from the commission over his role in the July 22 anti-government demonstration.
Mr Jaran said he accepted the NLA’s decision on Wednesday and would not attempt to do anything to prolong his stay in the job.
But he was curious as to why the assembly had invoked a provision in the interim constitution to remove him from office, even though the new charter has already been promulgated.
The interim charter is no longer valid as the new charter is now in effect after it received royal approval following the Aug 19 referendum.
Mr Jaran said the NLA’s decision to oust him from the commission did not surprise him. He would continue in the role of a human rights activist to campaign for equal rights and democracy.
He was also thinking of setting up an institute to monitor future elections.
Mr Jaran was accused of improper conduct and lacking neutrality after he and other leaders of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship of Thailand (UDDT) were charged with instigating unrest in the anti-government demonstration they led on July 22 in front of the residence of Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda in the Si Sao Thewes area.
NHRC chairman Saneh Chamarik said the commission agreed it was not in a position to oppose the NLA’s decision to remove Mr Jaran.
Sunee Chairos, an NHRC member, disagreed with the ouster of Mr Jaran, saying the NLA was installed by the coup makers and it lacked the legitimacy to remove any of the NHRC members who had been legally appointed.
She said the law-making body should look into other pressing matters and allow the commission to focus on doing its job. This was because the tenure of the commission will expire soon.