Four people who failed to make the cut for National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) posts are fighting against a decision by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to drop their candidacy.
Somsi Han-ananthasuk, Chaturong Bunyarattanasunthon, Bunthaen Tansuthepwirawong and Suraphong Kongchanthuek submitted a joint petition yesterday requesting legal assistance from the Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT).
On Dec 27 the NLA in a closed-door meeting resolved to endorse only two out seven successful candidates whose selections had already approved by the NHRC selection committee, according to the filed petition.
The names of five candidates were dropped. Only one, Phairot Phonphet, has declined to take part in the legal battle.
Apart from being rejected, the four candidates will not be able to apply for commissioner posts with other independent organisations. They will also not be eligible to re-apply for NHRC vacancies, according to the list of complaints in their petition.
The NLA panel set up to scrutinise the qualifications of the two successful candidates was another target of their gripes.
They said it was unnecessary as the vetting process had already been conducted when they were selected as candidates.
The four hope to set a new legal precedent in Thailand.
Nakhon Chomphuchat, chairman of the LCT's human rights committee, said selection for the NHRC is being closely watched around the world. If the issue is used as a pretext to skip international human rights conferences, it would tarnish Thailand's image, he added.
Mr Suraphong said the NLA's procedure for endorsing the candidates may have lacked transparency as it failed to disclose how it handled all seven applications. This is the first time it has chosen not to explain its rationale in making its selections, he added.
