HRW rights assessment outdated and unfair, govt says

“The authors have expressed their views with no updates of the latest status of each issue and, therefore, without taking into consideration progress and efforts made in the country,” a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

It said Thailand had taken many positive steps in the promotion and protection of human rights but the report failed to take into consideration such developments and efforts.

HRW released its World Report 2017 on Friday, saying Thailand’s military junta increased its repression and failed to restore democratic rule in 2016.

The group said a new constitution, adopted in a referendum last August that was marked by a crackdown against critics, effectively entrenched abusive and unaccountable military rule.