Thailand‘s upcoming general election on May 14 presents a rare opportunity for political parties and candidates to publicly commit to the protection and promotion of human rights. Amnesty International’s Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong emphasizes that it is important that the rights of marginalized groups, civil society, and young people be taken into account.
The future government must ensure that people can exercise the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association without fear of retaliation. The government must also drop all charges related to peaceful protest, amend all laws and policies that hinder the full enjoyment of these rights, and meet Thailand‘s international human rights obligations.
About 7.6% of the 52 million eligible voters in Thailand are first-time voters, a significant number of which are young people who have been involved in protests over the past three years. They have felt the full force of the state’s crackdown on their rights and freedoms. Parties and candidates should listen to the voices of all, including young people, respond to their calls for change, and commit to meeting Thailand’s international human rights obligations.
### Policy Recommendations by Amnesty International Thailand
Amnesty International Thailand has partnered with civil society organizations in various regions of the country to produce policy recommendations on issues such as civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights, environmental rights, LGBTI rights, migrant workers’ rights, refugees’ rights, people with disabilities, and the rights of women and indigenous peoples. The recommendations aim to urge candidates to formulate policy proposals to improve human rights.
The organization has also organized public dialogues in several provinces to present these recommendations and encourage politicians to express their commitments to human rights policies. It is essential for the future government to consider these recommendations and work towards the betterment of human rights in Thailand.
### The Current Situation of Human Rights in Thailand
Between July 2020 and April 2023, at least 1,902 individuals faced charges related to their criticism of the state or involvement in peaceful public assemblies, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. At least 1,469 of them stand accused of violating a ban on public gatherings issued under an emergency decree as part of Thailand‘s Covid-19 prevention measures. A further 167 face charges under the Computer Crimes Act for sharing dissenting content online.
At least 242 individuals are facing serious national security charges for lèse-majesté and another 130 for sedition under Articles 112 and 116 of Thailand‘s Criminal Code. At least 284 of those criminally charged were younger than 18 years old at the time of their charges. Such grave violations of human rights are not acceptable, and the new government must work tirelessly to address them.
### Editorial and Advice
The Thai government must commit to protecting and promoting human rights, providing security, and ensuring that all Thais can enjoy their rights and freedoms without fear of intimidation or retaliation. The young people of Thailand have been leading the charge towards political and social changes, and their voices must be heard.
The government should engage in genuine dialogue with all sectors of society, including civil society and human rights organizations, to build trust and ensure that policies respond to the needs of the people. We urge the Thai authorities to drop all charges against peaceful protesters and respect the right to peaceful assembly.
### Conclusion
The upcoming election in Thailand offers a rare opportunity for political parties and candidates to make commitments to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights for all people. The government must address the issues of inequality, socio-economic disparity, and human rights abuses, and work towards a more democratic and inclusive society. It is essential to listen to the voices of all Thais, particularly the young people, and commit to meeting Thailand’s international human rights obligations.
<< photo by Olivier Darny >>
You might want to read !
- Lebanon’s Deportation of Syrian Refugees Must Cease Immediately: Editorial
- Sudanese Massacre: The Urgency of Establishing an Investigative Mechanism by UN Human Rights Council
- Jordan Faces Scrutiny Over Child Rights Record
- Tunisia’s Fragile Democracy at Risk as Government Moves to Dismantle Largest Opposition Party
- Australia’s Inaction in Rescuing Citizens Trapped in Syrian Camps Sparks Outrage.
- Bhutan’s Imprisoned Democracy Activists Deserve A Royal Pardon: Calls for King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to Free Political Prisoners
- “Controversy surrounds the discovery of Pegasus spyware on a journalist’s phone in the Dominican Republic”