UN 'Deeply Concerned' by Thailand’s Opposition Party Ban

[webfact]

Former leader of Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, center, arrives at Move Forward Party headquarter in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rach Sumetlak)

 

The United Nations has voiced deep concern after Thailand's Constitutional Court dissolved the Move Forward Party (MFP), a prominent pro-democracy opposition group, on Wednesday. The court's unanimous decision effectively bans MFP's executive board from political activities for the next decade.

 

UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed grave worries in a statement, saying, "This decision seriously impacts fundamental freedoms of expression and association, and people's right to participate in public affairs and political life in Thailand." Turk highlighted the severity of penalising a party and its leaders for championing legal reforms, particularly those in support of human rights.

 

MFP, which garnered significant support in last year's general election, had campaigned vigorously to amend Thailand's stringent royal defamation laws. The laws, known as lese-majeste, criminalise defamation, insults, or threats to the monarchy, often resulting in lengthy prison sentences. Turk and various human rights bodies have long criticised these laws for being inconsistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

 

Turk labelled the court's ruling as "deeply troubling" and reiterated past concerns regarding the lese-majeste laws. "I call on the government to find pathways to ensure a vibrant, strong and inclusive democracy that promotes and respects the rights to freedom of expression and association and end the use of lese-majeste laws to suppress critical voices," he said.

 

Emphasising the importance of diverse political voices, Turk added, "A diversity of voices and opinions is fundamental to ensuring respect and protection of human rights and achieving peaceful social and economic development."

 

The dissolution of MFP raises questions about the future of Thailand's pro-democracy movement and the broader implications for political expression in the country. The international community will undoubtedly continue to monitor the situation closely, as calls for democratic reform and human rights take centre stage.

 

-- 2024-08-09

 

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[Pouatchee]

why worry? we are a sovereign nation... says clown face

 

 

 

[ikke1959]

45 minutes ago, webfact said:

UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed grave worries in a statement, saying, "This decision seriously impacts fundamental freedoms of expression and association, and people's right to participate in public affairs and political life in Thailand.

The man is right,but there is no freedom in Thailand, as son as you open your mouth they have section 112, computer act, defamation, and I don't know what more for you to bring you to court and jail...And as the current elite and government and army will never give up their power and rulings it will be worsen....Even when the  new MFP wins with a landslide and can have the absolute majority, there will be a new coup, because nobody will take their power away... 

[petermik]

Thailand`s rulers know best.......

[edwinchester]

When the Burmese Junta went too far and dismissed a rightfully elected govt the last time, the people finally rose up, enough was enough.

I wonder when Thailand's disenfranchised will finally shout the same?

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, edwinchester said:

When the Burmese Junta went too far and dismissed a rightfully elected govt the last time, the people finally rose up, enough was enough.

I wonder when Thailand's disenfranchised will finally shout the same?

 

I feel not anytime soon.....they seem to have had the stuffing knocked out of them for now.....the judiciary shaft them, the senators shaft them, the elites shaft them.....

 

Maybe things are so bad domestically they just have their heads down trying to make the next installment on the ridiculous amounts of money they spend on cars.

[bamnutsak]

If anyone thinks that the Dissolution of MFP is "bad", wait until Pita and other MFP leaders are charged with dozens, if not hundreds, of crimes.

 

The intent is to strike fear into the populace, no more pesky suggestions thank you very much. And to force MFP leaders to flee the country.

 

 

 

 

[BobBKK]

Unfortunately, Thais have been very "mai pen rai" from a very young age. Most countries there would be millions on the streets by now.

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

If anyone thinks that the Dissolution of MFP is "bad", wait until Pita and other MFP leaders are charged with dozens, if not hundreds, of crimes.

 

The intent is to strike fear into the populace, no more pesky suggestions thank you very much. And to force MFP leaders to flee the country.

 

 

 

 

 

Agree.....they are deadmen walking......no way are they going to be allowed to continue in public life in any meaningful way.

[Will B Good]

 

 

 

Was the MFP naive in pushing for a review of 'certain laws' before/during the elections.........or was it this promise of a review that garnered so many votes from Thai electorate... without this promised review would they have just been 'also ran's'.

[nobodysfriend]

2 hours ago, petermik said:

Thailand`s rulers know best.......

 

I hope that at least Germany cancels his visa now .

[bamnutsak]

7 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Was the MFP naive in pushing for a review of 'certain laws' before/during the elections.........or was it this promise of a review that garnered so many votes from Thai electorate... without this promised review would they have just been 'also ran's'.

 

I'm surprised all 14 million MFP voters haven't been charged with 112-116 violations.

 

But maybe that would look bad?

[daveAustin]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Emphasising the importance of diverse political voices, Turk added, "A diversity of voices and opinions is fundamental to ensuring respect and protection of human rights and achieving peaceful social and economic development."

Until it goes too far and you have all n sundry sticking their oar and are utterly hamstrung that you might say the wrong thing and be cancelled… as is the case with my sad sack of a country. 
 

This ruling is of course completely wrong and MFP would have done wonders for Thailand. But going hellbent for the defamation change so early was a huge mistake. That will take a generation or more to move on with. 

[transam]

15 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

Unfortunately, Thais have been very "mai pen rai" from a very young age. Most countries there would be millions on the streets by now.

Not in your Russia....Ooooh, no........🤨

[nobodysfriend]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

And as the current elite and government and army will never give up their power and rulings it will be worse

 

May be only tourists from russia and china will visit Thailand in the future ...?

They are used to that kind of treatment at home ...

[Forrests Father]

I don’t see a problem. The powers that be make sure that Thais stay stupid and obedient with only a minimal income. And my maid works for 400 THB a day. 
Sarcasm off.

[Will B Good]

Just now, Forrests Father said:

I don’t see a problem. The powers that be make sure that Thais stay stupid and obedient with only a minimal income. And my maid works for 400 THB a day. 
Sarcasm off.

 

OMG....you're being robbed.....we pay 250B for 8 hours.

[John Drake]

All that abstaining on Ukraine and the South China Sea is about to come back and bite them in the butt.

[transam]

2 minutes ago, Forrests Father said:

I don’t see a problem. The powers that be make sure that Thais stay stupid and obedient with only a minimal income. And my maid works for 400 THB a day. 
Sarcasm off.

Is that with her husband helping.......?  🤭

[FritsSikkink]

47 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

Unfortunately, Thais have been very "mai pen rai" from a very young age. Most countries there would be millions on the streets by now.

There are quite a few in jail because of protests, so not only "mai pen rai"

millions on the streets, in which country?

[FritsSikkink]

13 minutes ago, Forrests Father said:

 The powers that be make sure that Thais stay stupid and obedient with only a minimal income. 

Maybe the Thais that you know, I know very bright Thais with a (more than) good income.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, petermik said:

Thailand`s rulers know best.......

They own it, they want to remain that way.

[Donga]

Firstly, would posters cease stating MFP "won the elections" or attracted "majority of votes" as both are false. Btw, my large Thai family and I were supporters and still hope the reforms will come.

MFP gained around one third of the vote, and had the opportunity to lead an alliance. However they were the only party which made a big deal about lese majeste. Consequently they were unable to form government as were unwilling to modify their stance. That gave Pheu Thai the chance to snatch the reigns of power. Even my family, who were mostly pro MFP, were not so anti monarchy, as many have very fond memories of the last king.

So please let's not hear any more about MFP majority vote and won elections etc, unless you can show data to support. That they've been banned is bloody annoying, but such things happen here and around the world. Expect MFP will reform under a new banner to continue where they left off in the next election.

Secondly, how does the UN justify their righteous views about Thai democracy after decades of enabling Hamas to lead the Gazans into such destructive, vindictive, anti-democratic, anti-human rights misery. Shame on the UN and the UNRWA for their pathetic stewardship and outright hypocrisy. 

[BobBKK]

1 hour ago, transam said:

Not in your Russia....Ooooh, no........🤨

 The last time I looked, we were not in Russia, comrade 

[BobBKK]

54 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

There are quite a few in jail because of protests, so not only "mai pen rai"

millions on the streets, in which country?

 Those in jail are real HEROES most Thais are sleeping.

[transam]

Just now, BobBKK said:

 The last time I looked, we were not in Russia, comrade 

Oh, hiding in Pattaya.......😋

But you don't have to hide, you're a British wannabe Russian, you are not affected..🙄

[BobBKK]

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Oh, hiding in Pattaya.......😋

But you don't have to hide, you're a British wannabe Russian, you are not affected..🙄

 
Better than being a wannabe intelligent person  - you fail at that daily 🤪

[transam]

1 minute ago, BobBKK said:

 
Better than being a wannabe intelligent person  - you fail at that daily 🤪

Well yes, indeed I may, but on the plus side, I am not a wannabe Red, Putin supporter as you are......

[BobBKK]

19 minutes ago, transam said:

Well yes, indeed I may, but on the plus side, I am not a wannabe Red, Putin supporter as you are......

 Snap! I don't support Putin either!!!  well done old boy, congruence at last  ❤️

[retarius]

I'm guessing Thailand is a shoe-in for the UNCHR now?