Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has admonished the military takeover of Thailand, saying it will not resolve the current political impasse, but rather, will ”fuel it further”.

The human rights watchdog was part of a protest in front of the Royal Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur today, in which it submitted a memorandum urging the military junta to step down and restore democracy in the neighbouring country.

The memorandum, signed by Suaram along with 24 other civil society groups, trade unions and democratic movements in Malaysia, claimed that the suspension of constitution following the military coup d’etat on May 22 has led to a series of human rights violations.

“We have seen that all experiences with military juntas all over the world have spelled the death of democracy.

“Military rule and repression is not the solution to resolve the current political impasse in Thailand, but rather to fuel it further, at the expense of all Thai people, especially the workers, farmers and other working people,” read a copy of the memorandum sent to Malaysiakini .

The 25 organisations also expressed concern over the repression of the media in its coverage of the ongoing political crisis, saying this would prevent Thai people from accessing information crucial and from making informed decision.

Among others, the groups are urging an immediate repeal of martial law in the nation, for political detainees to be released, including those held under the “insidious lese-majeste law” and for the media to be allowed to operate freely.

The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Marginalised People's Network (Jerit), Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, Tenaganita, and the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) are among those that co-signed the memorandum.