HRW report a wake-up call for the junta

It would be wise to take corrective action if one is drifting down a flawed course. But from the look of it, this might be too much to ask of the Thai government, which was slammed in the recent annual report of Human Rights Watch (HRW) for deepening authoritarianism and consistently violating human rights.
In the 659-page World Report 2016 released on Wednesday, the New York-based HRW pointed out in the chapter on Thailand that “Despite initial promises to restore democracy within one year, the junta in 2015 exercised increasingly dictatorial power and continued to systematically repress fundamental rights and freedoms.”
“Instead of paving the way for a return to democratic civilian rule as promised in its so-called ‘road map’, the junta has created a political system that seems designed to prolong its grip on power,” the report said.
Moreover, the junta has shown it can be very thin-skinned when faced with criticism. The junta leaders could have easily defused some of these tensions between them and their critics by just giving them a patient hearing. However, their mindset seems to suggest that such an approach is a sign of weakness.
One has to wonder if they have forgotten their stated reasons for ousting an elected government: Wasn’t it to restore democracy and give the mandate back to the people?
If that’s the case then they need to make a distinction between constructive criticism and an act of sabotage.
Take the recent report on the culture of impunity and the use of torture in the far South where an ongoing insurgency has so far claimed more than 6,500 lives. The report was released on the visit to the country by the head of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, a 57-member body that has expressed concern about the conflict.
Instead of treating the report in a professional manner, the junta immediately dismissed it. They seem to forget the number of suspects who have died mysteriously while in detention.
At the national level, the interim constitution absolves anyone from legal repercussions for carrying out actions on behalf of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). This came about in March last year when the nationwide enforcement of the Martial Law Act of 1914 was replaced with Article 44 of the interim constitution.
Article 44 provides unlimited administrative, legislative, and judiciary powers to Prayut in his capacity as the NCPO chairman without any oversight or accountability.
It’s hard not to be concerned about the ongoing efforts to ensure the NCPO remains entrenched in the country’s political system. In November 2015, the NCPO proposed that the new constitution should guarantee blanket amnesty for the use of military force to “protect national security”.
Imagine what would happen to the next elected government if it tries to remove this clause?
The current road map indicates that the government plans to hold a general election in June next year with an elected government expected to take office in July.
The government insists that it respects freedom of expression and human rights. But it is evident that rights violations and the ban on political gatherings, as well as the arrest of dozens of people on charges of
sedition, reflect a different reality on the ground.
The government has also made lese majeste prosecutions a top priority of the NCPO. Since the coup, 56 lese majeste cases have been filed, 43 against individuals for online commentary, according to HRW.
Moreover, arbitrary detention, as well as summoning of at least 751
people for questioning since the coup in May 2014 is a cause for concern.
Another area of concern is the plight of asylum seekers, who are treated more like illegal migrants who are subjected to forced deportation and arrest. Needless to say such action has tarnished the country’s international standing.