Rights groups pan RTP bid to stall anti-torture law

Human rights and civil liberty organisations yesterday cried foul after the Royal Thai Police (RTP) sought to postpone the effective date of a law aimed at countering torture and enforced disappearances.

The Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act was published in the Royal Gazette on Oct 25 last year and is set to take effect on Feb 22 — after more than 14 years of campaigning to push for the law.

According to 17 rights organisations led by the Union for Civil Liberty and the Cross Cultural Foundation which spoke out yesterday, the RTP early this month submitted a letter to the justice minister asking him to consider postponing Chapter 3 of the law.

The police force cited a lack of equipment, skills and standard guidelines as a reason and claimed that enforcement of the law under current circumstances would cause more harm.

Human rights and civil liberty organisations said the police request was unacceptable.

Chapter 3 of the law involves measures such as requiring police to use body cameras during a search and arrest or give a detailed report of an arrest to local officials and prosecutors.

Under the chapter, people can file a petition with the Criminal Court for a hearing if torture or forced disappearance is suspected.

These measures are tools to prevent abuse and harassment and keep the police’s use of power in check, the rights groups said.

“[The bill] is a crucial step in protecting people from abuse by some officers and marks the beginning of police reform. It will do good, not harm, to the Thai public,” they said.

The RTP’s reason for seeking the postponement was unreasonable, as the agency was given several months to prepare.

They also assured the House committee on laws, justice and human rights last month that the RTP was up to the job, the groups said.

Civil groups in the deep South also criticised the police for lacking the will to enforce the law, saying the RTP had enough time to procure equipment, like body cameras, and train its officers.

Anchana Himmina, a member of a civil movement in the South, said the enforcement should not be postponed because the law would prevent abuse and harassment and restore public confidence in the police.

The RTP claimed the procurement of body cameras and related equipment, worth about 3.4 billion baht, was not part of its 2023 budget.

Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome lambasted the RTP for going back on its word while saying police could use cameras on their phones or seek a central budget to fund the procurement of body cameras.

He urged the justice minister and the prime minister not to postpone the effective date of the law.