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Will new law end Thailand’s dark era of torture and disappearances?


Jonathan Fairfield

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Uproar over the recent killing of a drug suspect by police investigators has revived debate on the need for a law banning torture and killings by state officials.

 

And the long-awaited move is now a step closer to reality after the House of Representatives on Thursday (September 16) voted 368:0 to approve in principle draft legislation outlawing torture and enforced disappearances for the first time in Thailand.

 

The bill, proposed by the Cabinet, has been tabled for House deliberation along with three rival drafts proposed separately by the House committee on laws, justice and human rights as well as the opposition Prachachart Party and coalition partner Democrat Party. The House panel’s draft was drawn up by a civil society group.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/will-new-law-end-thailands-dark-era-of-torture-and-disappearances/

 

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1 hour ago, scorecard said:

Why are these extra 'laws' needed?

 

Surely:

 

1. Torture means aggravated violence for which Thailand already has laws with severe punishments for very violent cases.

 

2. Killings by state officials is murder for which Thailand already has laws with severe punishments for certain circumstances. 

 

civic duty is added to the list

 

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Edited by wombat
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7 hours ago, Caldera said:

I'm sure there's a law against drunk driving, too. Yet, due to lack of enforcement...

 

I see the same happening here. Who will police the police? Or the army, for that matter?

Especially when these groups are the primary instigators of such activities. 

Less we forget about the secret law enforcement/para-military thugs.

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15 hours ago, BKKTRAVELER said:

My gut feeling says no... Some groups are unfortunately above the law.

Or (IMHO) some citizens / groups of citizens have for a long time believed (and still believe) they are above the law and are a body which is entitled to be the ruling class with ultimate power to decide destiny and decide actions without abiding by laws and without equality and without transparent justice.  

Edited by scorecard
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No. And don't hold your breath about any progress on the disappeared diaspora. That's rumored to have been arranged on approval.

It's political theatre to get international brownie points. Besides, one Gina Haspel ran a CIA rendering base right here in Kalaland. Nothing more to add.

Edited by chalawaan
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10 hours ago, scorecard said:

Or (IMHO) some citizens / groups of citizens have for a long time believed (and still believe) they are above the law and are a body which is entitled to be the ruling class with ultimate power to decide destiny and decide actions without abiding by laws and without equality and without transparent justice.  

Yep! But since they keep getting away with it for so long, it's not a belief anymore, but an unfortunate fact...

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