Group urges anti-torture law
Six human rights organisations issued an open letter to the government yesterday expressing concern about the delay in passing laws against the use of torture, illtreatment and the enforced disappearance of suspects in custody.
The letter, sent on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, also complained about the apparent lack of progress in investigating allegations of enforced disappearance.
It was directed at Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who is in charge of national security, and Justice Minister Suwapan Tanyuwattana.
The signatories were the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, and the Cross-Cultural Foundation.
They called on the government to prioritise enacting the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act without further delay once its provisions have been amended to ensure compliance with international law.
They also requested ratification of the United Nations’ International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).
Angkhana Neelapaijit, a National Human Rights Commission member and wife of missing lawyer Somchai, said Nareeluck Parechaipoom, who represents the Justice Ministry, informed her that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had set up a committee to give assistance to the victims and families of enforced disappearances.
“Without the law, they may get financial assistance but not really help with investigations,” she said.
Newly enacted domestic l aws are expected to ease the investigation and punishment of state officials suspected of abduction, torture or killing victims, she said.
She gave the example of the missing ethnic-Karen activist Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen, whose wife was informed by the Department of Special Investigation that she could not be regarded as a damaged party because they were only common law partners.