Thai lawmakers debate long-awaited legislation on torture, abductions

[webfact]

FILE PHOTO: Activists hold up pictures of abducted Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit as people gather in support of him during a protest calling for an investigation, in front of the Government house in Bangkok, Thailand, June 12, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's parliament on Wednesday started debating draft legislation outlawing torture and enforced disappearance, following years of delay and civil society outrage over alleged abuses and impunity among law enforcement personnel.

 

A draft bill designed to prevent and punish rogue state officials who abduct and torture suspects was initially approved by cabinet in 2016 but its progress stalled in the legislature.

 

Thailand signed an international convention on protection from enforced disappearance in 2012 but has not ratified the treaty.

 

A United Nations panel has recorded 82 cases of enforced disappearances in Thailand since 1980, while at least nine Thai dissidents who fled persecution in recent years have been abducted in neighbouring countries, according to the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

 

The progress of the latest legislation, of which one draft was approved by cabinet in June, coincides with the alleged torture and killing of a drug suspect by six police officer hat was caught on a security camera and went viral online last month.

 

"The torturing and disappearing of people by state officials is a gross violation of human rights and cannot be conducted under any circumstances," justice minister Somsak Thepsutin told parliament.

 

For anyone found guilty of torture and enforced disappearances, proposed punishments include hefty fines and jail terms of 5 to 15 years, increased to 10 to 25 years if the victim is severely injured and 15 to 30 years or life in the event of their death.

 

"Torture has happened in many parts of the country but has never been recorded as legal cases because the act of state officials were not considered criminal," said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, director of the Cross Cultural Foundation, which monitors and documents torture and abuse.

 

The national assembly president, Chuan Leekpai, said a vote on the various draft bills will be held on Thursday. Lawmakers expect a final version to be passed early next year.

 

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-09-16

 

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[HeijoshinCool]

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Read the headline and clicked, thinking I'd get some info on ASQs....

 

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[zzaa09]

Bit of a taboo subject, as numerous and long time "legislators" are implicated.

I wouldn't expect anything conclusive or resolved to come of it.

Secrets swept under the rug.

[Gottfrid]

Ooh! Well, let´s see...... it´s 2021.....Hell Yeah, look how far we come!

[RJRS1301]

If they did outlaw these alleged practices, it would severely limit the activities and income of some RTP personnel and pollies..

 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's parliament on Wednesday started debating draft legislation outlawing torture and enforced disappearance, following years of delay and civil society outrage over alleged abuses and impunity among law enforcement personnel

Amazing safe trusted Thailand.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

A United Nations panel has recorded 82 cases of enforced disappearances in Thailand since 1980, while at least nine Thai dissidents who fled persecution in recent years have been abducted in neighbouring countries, according to the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

Scratch the surface and reveal the real Thailand.

[RJRS1301]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Scratch the surface and reveal the real Thailand.

Unfortunately it occurs in many countries, some of whom see themselves as protectors of community and religious morals. Iran comes immediately to mind

[anchadian]

JUST IN: Thai parliament passes draft bill on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances in its first reading with a near-unanimous of 363 out of 365 present MPs (1 abstention, 1 no-vote). A final vote could come later this year.

 

https://twitter.com/SaksithCNA/status/1438391789686194176

 

[RJRS1301]

8 minutes ago, anchadian said:

JUST IN: Thai parliament passes draft bill on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances in its first reading with a near-unanimous of 363 out of 365 present MPs (1 abstention, 1 no-vote). A final vote could come later this year.

 

https://twitter.com/SaksithCNA/status/1438391789686194176

 

ah similar outcome about second reading etc, postponed, well until it languishes yet again, how unusual

[ikke1959]

THere are more delaying laws to be approved...... They should start working on them asap instead of filling their pockets with Sinovac and Astra and all other priviliges 

[zzaa09]

5 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

Unfortunately it occurs in many countries, some of whom see themselves as protectors of community and religious morals. Iran comes immediately to mind

...and Uncle Sugar should come to mind for those who really know what's going on.

[mikebell]

Note - all new laws do not apply to RTP.