UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour yesterday urged the martial authorities that recently seized power in Thailand to ensure the respect for basic rights.

"The forcible and unconstitutional replacement of Thailand's free-elected government, the establishment of martial law, the abolition of the 1997 Constitution, the dissolution of Parliament and the Cabinet...have raised important human rights concerns," Arbour said in a statement.

The Thai martial authorities issued various decrees that restrict a number of basic human rights, such as the right to freedom of assembly, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, Arbour said.

She urged the Thai authorities to "restore the maximum exercise of these rights."

The high commissioner also expressed concern about the disbanding of the Thai National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

She urged Thai military leaders to take all necessary measures to ensure that the country's international obligations are respected and to reinstate the NHRC.