HUMAN RIGHTS: DRUG KIN TO LOSE CITIZENSHIP

Naturalised Thais found involved in illicit drug trading will have their
entire families stripped of their citizenship, according to an initiative
of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Government spokesman Sita Divari said Thaksin had at yesterday's Cabinet
meeting instructed the Interior Ministry to consider revoking Thai
nationality held by naturalised migrants and their families if evidence
suggested they were involved in drug trafficking.

The measure, however, drew strong criticism from the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) and a senator. NHRC member Jaran Ditapichai said the
measure was against the Constitution, which prescribed punishment of
culprits, not their innocent family members. "Citizenship revocation is
applicable to convict only," he explained.

To implement the measure, he said, the government would first need to
change the law, a move he believed would prompt overwhelming opposition.

"It sounds as if we're going back to the old days when an offence by a
single person could kill his or her entire family," Jaran said. He said he
had supported the government's crackdown on drugs but it should be carried
out while respecting citizens' rights.

Chiang Rai Senator Tuenjai Deetes echoed Jaran, saying revocation of the
citizenship of culprits' whole families would breach citizens' rights
prescribed by the Constitution. "The measure will create divisions in the
country," she said.

She said the Senate committee on public participation had studied the issue
and was ready to submit relevant information to the government if asked.

Meanwhile the Revenue Department has been investigating the assets of 33
people suspected of involvement in drug trafficking. The government has
asked the department to check the suspects' tax records after they were
earlier able to evade anti-money laundering charges. The Anti
Money-Laundering Office had frozen their assets but was unable to proceed
to asset seizures.