Thailand under UN scrutiny for delaying anti-torture legislation
Thailand was under the spotlight for delaying key provisions of its anti-torture legislation at the 52nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva this week.
The Thai government, represented by Foreign Ministry adviser Pornpimol Kanchanalak, joined the session just two weeks after postponing enforcement of articles 22 to 25 of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance from February 22 to October 1. The articles require law enforcement officials to record and video interrogations and other investigation processes to ensure against torture and disappearances of suspects in custody.
The government claimed more time was needed to procure the recording equipment. The anti-torture law is the fruit of legislative efforts for more than a decade to combat a well-documented culture of impunity and power abuse in both police and other security forces.
Thailand is obligated to enforce the act, having ratified the UN Convention Against Torture.
According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, Pornpimol met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at the Human Rights Council Session this week.
The ministry press release gave no details of what was said during the meeting.
Instead, it merely said Pornpimol reaffirmed “Thailand’s commitment to advancing the promotion and protection of human rights, including civil and political rights and the implementation of the Act on the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance BE 2565 (2022)”.
The press release also said Pornpimol reiterated Thailand’s commitment to the UN Youth 2030 strategy and the interrelation of development and human rights.
"As a steadfast proponent of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Thailand also highlighted unwavering commitment to advancing sustainability through the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy," it said.
"Thailand also stressed the importance of international efforts to create an environment conducive to peace, since development and human rights cannot be realised without peace and security."
The Human Rights Council session lasts until April 4.
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