'All views welcomed' on rights panellists
Source - Bangkok Post (Eng)

Friday, April 10, 2009 07:01

Bangkok--Apr 10--Bangkok Post

The chairman of the Senate committee on human rights has promised to hear the views of all parties on the nomination of prospective members of the National Human Rights Commission.

Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn, who chairs the Senate committee on human rights, liberty and consumer protection, yesterday said anybody who doubted the qualifications or legitimacy of any of the seven prospective commissioners could file a petition with the upper house.

Mr Somchai said if the Senate rejected the nomination of any of the seven nominees, it could ask the NHRC selection panel to name a replacement within 30 days.

The NHRC selection panel recently announced a list of seven nominees, which drew fierce criticism for not including any prominent rights activists.

Listed were Pol Gen Wanchai Srinualnad, a former assistant police chief; Wisa Benjamano, a former inspector-general at the Social Development and Human Security Ministry; Niran Pitakwatchara, a former senator for Ubon Ratchathani; Paiboon Warahapaithoon, the Constitution Court secretary-general; Parinya Sirisarakarn, a member of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council; Thaejing Siripanich, the secretary-general of the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation; and Amara Pongsapich, a former dean of Chulalongkorn University's political science faculty.

Critics said the nominees were mostly retired officials while those with legitimate backgrounds in human rights, such as Wallop Tangkananurak, Tuenjai Deethes and Angkhana Neelaphaijit, did not make the cut.