Junta’s human rights position questioned at UN

[webfact]

Junta’s human rights position questioned at UN
By WASAMON AUDJARINT, 
JAKRAWAN SALAYTOO
THE NATION

 

Charnchao

 

GENEVA: -- THAILAND’S 46-MEMBER delegation at the United Nations human rights body faced a barrage of questions yesterday that focused on the junta maintaining the death penalty and restrictions on freedom of expression.

 

Representatives from various government agencies were grilled in Geneva at the 119th session of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

 

 In Bangkok, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said he had heard initial reports that the delegation faced some difficulties explaining human rights practices in Thailand, including in relation to the death penalty. 

 

“Some may question why the death penalty still exists in our country. On the other hand, some Thais also question why some [wrongdoings] are not punishable by death. There is really a fine line in defining legal violations,” he said.

 

Prayut added that the UN review process proceeded in a “reasonable and academic” way.

 

Led by the permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry Charnchao Chaiyanukij, the military regime’s delegation gave verbal reports on the country’s human rights situation and responded to questions from UN members. 

 

The questions focused on many issues relating to the junta’s operation since it took power in 2014. 

 

The UN Human Rights Committee questioned the restriction on freedom of expression, rights to assemble, the trials of civilians in military court, the enforcement of special powers under Article 44 of the interim charter, the new constitution, and the lese majeste law. 

 

They also asked about the progress of the investigation and prosecution following the disappearance of prominent Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit and Karen activist Pholachi “Billy” Rakchongcharoen.

 

In the first session on Monday, Charnchao acted as moderator, asking Thai officials to answer questions that related to their agencies. Many spent 10 to 15 minutes reading prepared answers. 

 

Representatives from the Royal Thai Police, Labour Ministry, National Security Council, Foreign Ministry, Social Development and Human Security Ministry, the junta National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and Defence Ministry, explained the legal justification for human rights restrictions and law enforcement to limit civil and political rights. 

 

For a leader to have special power to limit people’s rights is not rare in Thai history, said Colonel Rungsarit Nakmung of the NCPO. Thai constitutions in the past – such as the 1959, 1972, 1976, 1977 and 1991 charters enforced after military coups – also gave such powers to the leaders, he said. Thailand needed such law to maintain order during the transitional period, he said. 

 

Article 44 was mostly used for the effectiveness of the administration, he said, adding that only a few orders had been issued under this article to limit people’s rights.

 

In Bangkok, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said he was not worried about the Kingdom’s rights image although the junta has maintained and practised extrajudicial power. 

 

However, Sunai Phasuk, senior researcher on Thailand in Human Rights Watch's Asia division, said in a panel that while the junta makes promises to the international community in response to concerns, those pledges yield very little in practice.

 

He cited the use of the Military Court to try civilians as an example. While the junta announced that this practice would cease, in reality many cases remained in the Military Court and were not transferred to the normal courts of justice, Sunai said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30309118

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-15

[Chang_paarp]

Seems the rest of the world not understand as they should.

[the guest]

Can anyone ask why the civilized world is engaging with Thailand? It is clearly a waste of time. Its like asking a 5 year old about politics.

[jerojero]

Well well well... Finally someone able to fully put the junta in its place and on its heels. Hope they were barbequed by the UN, not just grilled.!

[aussieinthailand]

Difficult to defend the indefensible.

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

They also asked about the progress of the investigation and prosecution following the disappearance of prominent Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit and Karen activist Pholachi “Billy” Rakchongcharoen.

Who ?  Oh yeah, him.  Have to get back to you on that.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

For a leader to have special power to limit people’s rights is not rare in Thai history, said Colonel Rungsarit Nakmung of the NCPO. Thai constitutions in the past – such as the 1959, 1972, 1976, 1977 and 1991 charters enforced after military coups – also gave such powers to the leaders, he said. Thailand needed such law to maintain order during the transitional period, he said. 

In defense of Thailand's low standards.  Perhaps they should consider raising those standards after this meeting, and stop trying to defend the moral low ground. 

[whatawonderfulday]

1 hour ago, the guest said:

Can anyone ask why the civilized world is engaging with Thailand? It is clearly a waste of time. Its like asking a 5 year old about politics.

Actually a 5 year old would have a better perception of what is right than wrong than the Junta.

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

There is really a fine line in defining legal violations,”

You mean like when Prayut abolished the 2007 Constitution and replaced it with his own writ complimented with his amnesty?

Or relies on his absolute power under Article 44 to bypass due process of law?

The Prayut government does not use "fine lines" of law but broad authoritarian strokes.

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Thai constitutions in the past – such as the 1959, 1972, 1976, 1977 and 1991 charters enforced after military coups – also gave such powers to the leaders, he said. Thailand needed such law to maintain order during the transitional period, he said. 

You are right there is plenty of precedence. Military makes coup, Military writes constitution, Military gives special powers to leaders. Thailand coup recipe 1.01. However, Thailand doesn't need such laws to maintain order, that's just the pretense, the military needs those laws to indemnify themselves.

[darksidedog]

"Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said he had heard initial reports that the delegation faced some difficulties explaining human rights practices in Thailand."

Now that's an understatement if ever I heard one. "Some difficulties?" I suspect that should read "immense difficulties!"

[Reigntax]

Surely Prayuth's delegation has convinced the UN that the Thai way of subsistance living, people smuggling, military rule and inbred leadership is the way of the future.

[Allstars]

Now it's just a matter of waiting for the next news report where dear general announces " we have explained and now they understand".

[mtls2005]

The UN HRC needs to cut countries with a military regime some slack. I think Thailand is the only country currently with a military government, so it is "unique".

 

The junta needs to help the UN HRC "understand" this "uniqueness".

 

I'm sure everything will be fine when (if?) Thailand "returns to Democracy". /justkidding

[newatthis]

" Article 44 was mostly used for the effectiveness of the administration, he said, adding that only a few orders had been issued under this article to limit people’s rights. "

 

That's shooting yourself in the foot at a human right's convention.

[hawker9000]

3 hours ago, jerojero said:

Well well well... Finally someone able to fully put the junta in its place and on its heels. Hope they were barbequed by the UN, not just grilled.!

LOL.  Yeah.  Like Thailand would, could or should pay any more attention to the UN than anybody else does...

[ThaiBob]

1 hour ago, newatthis said:

" Article 44 was mostly used for the effectiveness of the administration, he said, adding that only a few orders had been issued under this article to limit people’s rights. "

 

That's shooting yourself in the foot at a human right's convention.

A few? Try 124!

https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/thailand/thailand-the-military-junta-s-human-rights-achievements-in-10-numbers

[Surasak]

4 hours ago, the guest said:

Can anyone ask why the civilized world is engaging with Thailand? It is clearly a waste of time. Its like asking a 5 year old about politics.

The body maybe 40 to 60 years old, its the brain which hasn't kept up and is still only5 years old.

[saminoz]

If most of the members of the delegation read from pre-prepared statements, couldn't they have saved a sh1tload of money and sent letters or e-mails?  Why the need to physically go there? (Except for the free junket of course!)

[worgeordie]

The UN,not our father,and dont understand Thainess.

regards Worgeordie

[darksidedog]

11 minutes ago, saminoz said:

If most of the members of the delegation read from pre-prepared statements, couldn't they have saved a sh1tload of money and sent letters or e-mails?  Why the need to physically go there? (Except for the free junket of course!)

Given the untenable position the Thai delegates were trying to defend, they would most likely be in sore need of a serious drink afterwards.

I suspect the grilling they got was remarkably unpleasant.

Not as unpleasant as the job they will have when they get home though, explaining their unmitigated and disastrous efforts.

[trainman34014]

None of this will make a blind bit of difference to the way things are done in the land of denial.     When did they last listen to anyone in the outside world ?

 

The only way to bring them to heel is hit them hard in the pocket with sanctions (ones that work) and the rest of the world  stop trading anything with them until they put things right.    Not likely to happen as many greedy people in other countries depend on the dosh they make dealing with the Thai Tyrants.

[steven100]

Thailand is doing ok.

 

Khun Prayuth Chan o Cha is doing a good job.  It's a lot better than it was before ....

 

To Khun Prayuth 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The UN Human Rights Committee

 

how about starting with Syria ....  then Iraq ...  then Turkey ....  

....    no I didn't think so     !!!

 

UN are a bunch of pussies .....      does anyone really even care what they say   ??

[Surasak]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

Thailand is doing ok.

 

Khun Prayuth Chan o Cha is doing a good job.  It's a lot better than it was before ....

 

To Khun Prayuth 

 

 

how about starting with Syria ....  then Iraq ...  then Turkey ....  

....    no I didn't think so     !!!

 

UN are a bunch of pussies .....      does anyone really even care what they say   ??

Khun Prayut takes no notice what so ever

[Bluespunk]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

“Some may question why the death penalty still exists in our country. On the other hand, some Thais also question why some [wrongdoings] are not punishable by death. There is really a fine line in defining legal violations,”

Ah, the irony.

[colinneil]

It takes 46 people to try to explain, that Thais are not bothered about human rights.

Thats 46 snouts in the freebie trough.

[JimGant]

Quote

"Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said he had heard initial reports that the delegation faced some difficulties explaining human rights practices in Thailand."

In particular, the representatives from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and South Sudan were seen scratching their heads, wondering what all the fuss was about.... What, no daily public hangings or limb removal....?

[clockman]

They went to check there bank accounts!

[Wilsonandson]

Thailand is doing ok.
 
Khun Prayuth Chan o Cha is doing a good job.  It's a lot better than it was before ....
 
To Khun Prayuth 
 

 
how about starting with Syria ....  then Iraq ...  then Turkey ....  
....    no I didn't think so     !!!
 
UN are a bunch of pussies .....      does anyone really even care what they say   ??

"You've forgotten to take your medication again Steven. Come on, back to the ward, there, there, it's scrambled eggs for dinner."

[tbthailand]

8 hours ago, steven100 said:

Thailand is doing ok.

 

Khun Prayuth Chan o Cha is doing a good job.  It's a lot better than it was before ....

 

To Khun Prayuth 

 

 

how about starting with Syria ....  then Iraq ...  then Turkey ....  

....    no I didn't think so     !!!

 

UN are a bunch of pussies .....      does anyone really even care what they say   ??

UN are a bunch of pussies .....      does anyone really even care what they say   ??

 

yes, some of us do.

 

However we also respect human rights and the right to self-governance...  These seem to matter less to you, ... if at all.

Edited March 15, 2017 by tbthailand