A recent seminar on May 24 hosted by the Ministry of Justice together with international organisations highlighted various stepping stones in the struggle against torture and enforced disappearances in Thailand. There was detailed discussion of the draft national law on the issue. There was also analysis of Thailand's most recent report on its implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT), which was an eye-opener for the public.
With regard to the draft law, the committee set up by the National Assembly has done constructive work in trying to incorporate the key principles of the CAT, to which Thailand is a party, and the Convention against Enforced Disappearances which Thailand has signed but not yet ratified. If the law passes vetting by the Senate, it will facilitate not only action against these crimes but also enable Thailand to ratify the latter convention so as to make it legally binding on the country.
