Rights in UN focus

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday defended its position on its human rights practices as representatives led by the Justice Ministry’s permanent secretary Chanchao Chaiyanukij prepared to be grilled today at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

“I have instructed the permanent secretary to explain martial law, the provisional charter’s Article 44,and other related cases and how people have violated these laws,” Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told reporters yesterday, “I’m not worried [because] what I do, I do for Thailand. You [the media] should help me explain this for a better understanding and for the happiness of our people.” 

The government submitted its UPR report to the UN in February, and the team will discuss the paper at the UN today and offer explanations about human rights practices.

The 22-page report covers relevant issues of human rights concerns such as economic, social and cultural rights as well as the rights of specific groups such as women, children, disabled people and refugees. 

However, a weak point in the report pertains to civil and political rights. Only four paragraphs are devoted to the controversial issues, with no specific cases being mentioned. 

“Thailand fully respects the freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of assembly as they form the basic foundation of a democratic society,” the report’s 116th paragraph reads. 

Many countries such as Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States have raised tough questions about political rights in Thailand.

The questions raised in advance by member countries focus on specific areas such as queries about the Military Court, the lese majeste law, and the junta’s so-called “attitude-adjustment” sessions. British representatives asked why the Computer Crime Act was being used instead of the criminal defamation law and to what extent the judiciary exercises discretion when applying the law in defamation cases. 

 

US raises numerous questions

The US statement says: “We continue to urge the Thai government to lift undue restrictions on the exercise of civil liberties and to ensure an open and inclusive political process that allows all sectors of Thai society to be heard. 

“What steps has Thailand taken to ensure that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly will be respected in the run-up to the August constitutional referendum? What additional steps will the government take to allow the general population to openly discuss and debate the merits of the draft?” 

Prayut responded by saying such questions were being raised because these countries had received “misleading information”.

“You know who they are. Where can [such information] come from?” Prayut asked rhetorically after a Cabinet meeting yesterday. “There are people sending messages and news to make [foreign countries] misunderstand us.”

Deputy Government Spokesperson Maj-General Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak said the Cabinet has acknowledged the process employed in today’s review and has given the Justice Ministry-led team permission to represent national human rights policy in Geneva today. 

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said the report had been submitted to the United Nations voluntarily to solicit recommendations from member countries, not because the submission was mandatory. Four years ago, 174 suggestions were made for Thailand and the government took 134 of them into consideration, he said. 

“All countries can make recommendations. Our neighbours were also questioned on why they are maintaining capital punishment. We also have our own problems, which other countries should not intervene in,” Don told reporters. 

He added that Thailand has been praised for its work protecting the rights of groups such as children, the disabled and women. 

“As for civil and political rights, I think members will understand our situation and realise that we have to maintain law and order,” he said. “Every country has the same problem. I don’t think there will be any problems at the UN meeting.”