Thai Human Rights Commission slated for 'downgrading'

[webfact]

Thai Human Rights Commission Slated For 'Downgrading'
By Khaosod English


Amara Pongsapitchaya, chairwoman of National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), offering flowers to then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on 18 March 2010, thanking him for "displaying restraint" toward Redshirts protesters. More than 90 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the crackdown ordered by Mr. Abhisit.

BANGKOK - A major international human rights body has flagged Thailand's national human rights commission for a "downgrading," citing its questionable role in tackling civil rights issues.

According to the report released today by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC), Thailand's Office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should be downgraded from its current status of "A" to "B."

The report of international rights commissions accreditation, was compiled in October 2014 .

The ICC notes that, due to a limited selection process, the NHRC composes of only "officials from a very small number of public institutions, with no clear representation, or a requirement for consultation with key stakeholder groups or civil society."

The committee also criticises the NHRC for delaying its report on the 2010 political unrest until three years have elapsed, despite the fact that more than 90 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the clashes between Redshirt demonstrators and the security force, and numerous human right abuses were reported throughout the turbulent period of April-May 2010.

Furthermore, the NHRC is yet to complete and publish a report into alleged serious human rights violations related to anti-government protests that erupted in late 2013, the ICC says.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1420012276


-- Khaosod English 2014-12-31

[jpeg]

Thailand's Office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should be downgraded from its current status of "A" to "B."

What? No 'C'?

[konjohn]

excellent news..signed up just to say this

[dahinni]

just to much incompetence , all over

[iReason]

"Thailand's Office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should be downgraded from its current status of "A" to "B."

A????? How could that ever have been possible?

C- at best.

And that's being generous...

Edited December 31, 2014 by metisdead
Font reset to default forum font.

[candide]

just to much incompetence , all over

And also too much "political bias".

[metisdead]

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

[jayboy]

Quite correct.A necessary downgrading for this disgraceful organisation with its brazen political bias and contempt for the very human rights it is mandated to promote and protect.Actually this cultish behaviour is found in many Thai so called independent agencies and even NGOs.Normally they get way with it and one suspects it only is because of the international affiliation that this nasty little group got bitch slapped.

[LuckyLew]

In Thailand unless you have money and power you have no rigths

Will never change

[Eric Loh]

Deservingly for poor leadership by Khunying Amara.

[razer]

The "branding" fluff doesn't sell anymore.

[SOTIRIOS]

........'Where there's a will, there's a way'........

........and conversely......

[anon022]

And who is calling the kettle black as usual? Some US based organization? Again, let's face it, the US has a lot to answer for, I refer everyone here who is addicted to Thai bashing, especially those from countries that condone torture, and have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civilizations over the past decade - the US and the UK, to the UN report on human rights abuses in the US, as well as the CIA's own report regarding their "enhanced interrogation techniques", in other words, torture plain and simple.

Edited December 31, 2014 by Impossible

[Suffinator]

BANGKOK - A major international human rights body has flagged Thailand's national human rights commission for a "downgrading," citing its questionable role in tackling civil rights issues.

If the international community was serious about Human Rights abuses then a number of high profile sanctions and embargo's would have already been put in place .... AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN in the name of human rights.

[Roadman]

An immediate (today and not tomorrow) requirement for PM Prayuth would be to either fully support or remove the leadership of Thailand's NHRC; and get acceptable nomination process's in place to get people in there that will actually display impartiality and provide the reporting that the international body requires. The reporting is not onus in its judgement and even shows its maturity by giving guide lines for when Martial Law is in place. Nine months to get all done to hold onto in Thailand's case what is a very fortunate right. Less of the world is not my father and more of I am a family member is needed in the whole field of human rights.

[Misterwhisper]

Amara should have been flagged for "mop alert". That hairdo is absolutely hideous and infringes on human decency.

[simple1]

For all those critiquing the guidance provided by Metisdead - very cheap shots - I suggest you make yourselves conversant to the directives of the current government and the penalties for non-compliance.

All social media sites are monitored in Thailand by relevant government agencies. People have been arrested and charged for non-compliance to government directives and the Computer Crimes Act. Seriously, for those living in Thailand, are you prepared to put yourselves on the line for free speech in Thailand and subject yourselves to imprisonment and deportation?

EDIT: Quote from the ThaiVisa tech site:

The current administration has already shut down nearly 400 websites that have not complied to the country’s strict laws regarding insulting the government or monarchy.

Edited December 31, 2014 by simple1

[noitom]

Thailand downgraded as it should be. Should be to D or F.

[FangFerang]

How can anyone be downgraded from slop to worse?

Hilariously, and I mean funny and falling on the ground laughing, the Thai leadership has reaped huge benefits from the US dollar and is now -- stupidly -- investing in the renmimbi, the yuan.

No one trusts this "leadership". Not even the Chinese.

PS: Thai Visa is a company, a for-profit entity. Get over it or get somewhere else.

Edited December 31, 2014 by FangFerang

[otherstuff1957]

The other paper doesn't mention "a" or "b" ratings., they just say that other human rights organizations have been instructed to ignore any annoucements from the Thai HR group!

[chainarong]

Now Thailand knows what the international opinion is as far as human rights are concerned , going by the low rating you have placed yourselves on Human rights it is now time to get on board before the curtain falls on bad publicity in the tourist area and that will hurt Thailand more than flowers to Mark which was appreciated but not necessary.

[PaullyW]

For all those critiquing the guidance provided by Metisdead - very cheap shots - I suggest you make yourselves conversant to the directives of the current government and the penalties for non-compliance.

All social media sites are monitored in Thailand by relevant government agencies. People have been arrested and charged for non-compliance to government directives and the Computer Crimes Act. Seriously, for those living in Thailand, are you prepared to put yourselves on the line for free speech in Thailand and subject yourselves to imprisonment and deportation?

EDIT: Quote from the ThaiVisa tech site:

The current administration has already shut down nearly 400 websites that have not complied to the country’s strict laws regarding insulting the government or monarchy.

Good try, but ultimately wrong.

TV is more than happy to get clicks and comments by leaving the stories open to such. But they just won't allow those comments to be negative per the rules that the government has set.

So, by leaving the comments section open on these stories that would obviously solicit certain, negative (honest) comment, TV is pretending that it supports free speech.

I understand that they must comply with the laws, but get a spine and simply lock down the entire section or lock down any stories that might solicit negative comment.

Don't make out your readership to be tacitly in support of things it is not. Otherwise risk being seen as a propaganda tool like most of the Thai media. That is a reputation that will be difficult to shake.

[In Search of Space]

I am outraged, Thailand is a country which treats all of its citzens equality, with open and transparent legal systems, how can they do this ?

[candide]

The other paper doesn't mention "a" or "b" ratings., they just say that other human rights organizations have been instructed to ignore any annoucements from the Thai HR group!

Look here if you have a doubt they have been downgraded to B for not respecting Paris principles:

http://nhri.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/ICCAccreditation/Documents/SCA%20OCTOBER%202014%20FINAL%20REPORT%20-%20ENGLISH.pdf

Edited January 1, 2015 by candide

[lovetotravel]

And who is calling the kettle black as usual? Some US based organization? Again, let's face it, the US has a lot to answer for, I refer everyone here who is addicted to Thai bashing, especially those from countries that condone torture, and have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civilizations over the past decade - the US and the UK, to the UN report on human rights abuses in the US, as well as the CIA's own report regarding their "enhanced interrogation techniques", in other words, torture plain and simple.

Do some research first. The US doesn't even participate in this process. They are not part of this organization. The current chair is from South Africa. The former one was from Jordan.

Amazing at how quickly something like this turns into US bashing.

[outsider]

Wonder who or what NHRC will blame now.

Edited January 1, 2015 by outsider

[craigt3365]

A post discussion moderation has been removed from view. There is a pinned topic prominently displayed at the top of the Thailand News sub forum.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/769792-notice-to-members-posting-in-thailand-news/

And it says this:

Thailand remain under Martial Law and the rules related to Social Media and posting on Thaivisa will follow the guidelines set forth by the Thai government and the military. Here are some things that you should consider when posting:

All suspects in lese majeste cases, national security cases, violators of NCPO orders will face court martial.

Any discussion of the Monarchy or members of the royal family in a political context will result in a ban. This includes vague comments that could be construed as referring to the Monarchy.

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

Any posts which can be construed as rumor mongering are not allowed.

Posters violating these rules, and the forum rules will receive a warning, a possible suspension of posting privileges or a ban from the site.

Please check the entire list of forum rules: http://www.thaivisa....tion=boardrules

Their rules and we have to abide by them.

[metisdead]

Posts commenting on moderation have been removed:

10) Do not discuss moderation publicly in the open forum; this includes individual actions, and specific or general policies and issues. You may send a PM to a moderator to discuss individual actions or email support (at) thaivisa.com to discuss moderation policy.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

[mango66]

200 is 10% of 2.000 which Thaksin killed on his fight for Drag Lords in the North !!

[timewilltell]

Unfortunately Thailand will do everything it can to hide its failures and with the patronage system in full swing what hope that any case will be dealt with by people who really want the truth rather than some whitewash dictated to by whoever happens to be in power - and whoever is in power will be protecting some corrupt traitor so I don't really see the point of having a council that will not follow its mandate. There are huge humans rights issues in this country, and yes we all know they exist in other countries but we are talking about Thailand, and it sullied the name if they will not help the very people they have a mandate to protect because of political or commercial or actually any power groups fluency here.