In the light of the declaration of Martial Law in Thailand, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) calls on the Thai Army under the command of Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha to uphold human rights and not subject anyone to enforced disappearance.

Article 1.2. of the International Convention for the Protection of All Person from Enforced Disappearance (Convention) emphasizes that at “no exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification for enforced disappearance.”

The government of Thailand signed the Convention on 9 January 2012. It promised to complete its preparations towards ratification by December 2014. It is just unfortunate that the political crisis besetting the country thwarted these efforts.

AFAD is concerned of the broad powers vested on the military based on a 1914 law. It can censure news, restrict meetings and gatherings and even detain people without legal process. These powers, based on experiences of many countries under Martial Law resulted to gross human rights violations including the commission of enforced disappearance.

According to reports gathered by Human Rights Watch, the Army already clamped down on press freedom and restricted free speech by instructing some academics and others not to speak negatively about Martial Law. It was also reported to have summoned officials of government, professional associations and civil society organizations to report to them and not defy Martial law regulations.

While it is reported that Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha had told reporters not to worry because they will try not to violate human rights too much (see http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/thailand-s-army-declares-martial-law-denies-coup), AFAD asks freedom-loving citizens of Thailand and the international community not to be complacent of the situation but to closely monitor the state of human rights especially the possible commission of the crime of enforced disappearance.

“In solidarity with the people of Thailand, we urge our counterparts in other regions of the world to be vigilant of the situation and put the Army to task in ensuring that its forces adhere to the government’s commitment to human rights”, Mary Aileen D. Bacalso, AFAD Secretary General said. “Thailand has to be consistent of its attribution as the “land of the free, “by not compromising the fundamental freedoms and rights of its citizens, she added.

Signed and authenticated by:

MUGIYANTO
Chairperson

MARY AILEEN D. BACALSO
Secretary-General