EU criticises Thai junta's martial law successor

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union rejected Thursday the Thai junta's announcement of the lifting of martial law, saying that replacement legislation would not loosen the military's grip on power.

Thailand's generals ended martial law on Wednesday, 10 months after a coup, but replaced it with a new executive order retaining sweeping powers for junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

"The EU has repeatedly called for martial law to be lifted and the democratic process to be restored in Thailand. The replacement of martial law by Order Number 3/2015 does not bring Thailand closer to democratic and accountable government," a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogerhini said in a statement.

Brussels particularly criticised Thailand's retention of military courts under the new order, saying they "should not be used to try civilians".

"As a friend and partner of Thailand, the EU reiterates that the rule of law and the protection and promotion of human rights should underpin progress towards full restoration of democratic governance in Thailand," the spokesman said.

The criticism from the EU came after UN's human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Thursday described the new powers as "even more draconian" than martial law.

A US State Department official said Washington expected the Thai military to end trials of civilians in military courts, detention without charge and to allow people to express their opinions freely.