Since the 22 May 2014 coup, many academics, media workers, and citizens have been arrested or summoned to report themselves to undergo forced attitude adjustment  by military and civilian officials under the command of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Even though nearly eighteen months have passed since the coup, it is well-known that those who have undergone attitude adjustment experience continued de facto probation by the NCPO. They are summoned to meet with soldiers at special military units, military bases, and cafes, or otherwise soldiers are sent to their homes or workplaces.  This is the case even though a large number of those who are tracked have not engaged in political movement or expression or engaged in any activities that are either illegal or impact national security. 

 

It is the view of the undersigned that the aforementioned actions of the NCPO, in addition to being a waste of the national budget and a useless waste of time of civil serviants, constitutes a direct threat to those who hold different opinions. This creates an atmosphere of terror for both those who are tracked and their families and colleagues.  

 

As those who who have been tracked by military officials and citizens who do not agree withthe coup and the use of de facto probation and other psychological operations against innocent people as if they are criminals, we call on the NCPO, army, and other relevant figures to do the following:

 

Cease summoning individuals to report themselves unless there is a legal, court-issued summons for their appearance or arrest. This is regardless of whether it is in the form of a summons for an individual to go to a particular location or the form of sending military officials to meet an individual at his/her home, workplace, or a commercial establishment.

 

Cease the suveillance of people’s private lives, de facto probation and other psychological operations against people who have not been convicted as criminals through a full judicial process according to international standards.  

 

Call the soldiers back to the barracks to carry out their actual duties as specificied by law. This is so that state officials will be able to resolve various problems, including domestic security, in line with usual mechanisms and democratic means.