Civil and political rights 'have eroded'

ANNUAL REPORT

Civil and political rights 'have eroded'

Improvements in justice marred by draft laws and migrants' treatment

Published on December 11, 2007

Human rights in Thailand's justice system improved but civil and political rights were eroded under the junta-appointed government and its National Legislative Assembly, a rights group said yesterday on International Human Rights Day.

Organisations in Thailand led by the Union for Civil Liberty yesterday released an annual report on human rights in the country, listing 10 positive changes as well as 10 negative changes for 2007.

The group cited two positive events in the fight for justice: the dropping of charges against protesters on the Thai-Malaysia gas pipeline project in Songkhla province and the order by three provincial courts in Chumpon, Surat Thani and Ranong that allowed 81 Muslim men taken to an Army-sponsored four-month "job training" camp to return home.

The group also praised the August 7 Cabinet resolution to adopt the United Nations Convention against Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Other positive changes included the investigation into the 2,500 extrajudicial killings during the previous government's "war on drugs" campaign; the enforcement of three new laws on human trafficking and protection against domestic violence; a law of promoting and developing quality of life for the disabled; and the amendment of laws that provide fairer treatment to women in divorce cases.

However, the draft of the Internal Security Act would tarnish the country's human rights record as it was like a silent coup that gave power to the military to control the state and society, the group stated.

The junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) was responsible for a more negative record on human rights, the group stated. It cited the NLA's approval of the draft of the Community Forest Act, which does not allow local communities to participate, and the impeachment of human rights commissioner Jaran Ditha-pichai, who led the anti-coup movement.

The country has also fallen short on the rights of ethnic groups and migrant workers, the group stated, citing the ban on using ethnic languages on community radio in northern provinces and violations against the rights of migrant workers.

In many provinces, migrant workers are prohibited from using mobile phones, leaving their rooms from 8pm to 6am, riding motorcycles and holding cultural activities, it said.

It also cited the arrest of two Internet users under a new computer law as a negative development.

In a separate event to mark International Human Rights Day, a group led by former senator Prateep Ungsongtham-Hata demonstrated in front of Government House, urging United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to keep a close watch on the political situation in Thailand and help the country guarantee a free and fair election and an end to military rule.

The Nation