Dear Ms Arbour,
RE: THAILAND MUST RATIFY THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
On this international Human Rights Day, December 10, 2005, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) calls upon you to make it a personal objective that Thailand ratifies the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 2006.
Torture is widely practiced by the police and security forces in Thailand. Very brutal forms of torture are also used. During the last year, the AHRC has documented a number of instances of electrocution and burning of suspects’ genitals in ordinary criminal cases.
Torture in Thailand is also closely linked to other serious human rights abuses. These include widespread extrajudicial killings and deaths in custody, enforced disappearances and severe custodial maltreatment. Some persons, including a senior forensic scientist, have also faced criminal libel suits under outdated defamation laws for alleging that the police use torture.
As you may know, the Government of Thailand has frequently said that it will join the Convention against Torture. The AHRC is aware from contact with staff in various ministries that they are familiar with the Convention and are prepared to put it into domestic law.
Accordingly, the Asian Human Rights Commission urges you to make it your personal objective to ensure that the Government of Thailand ratifies the Convention against Torture in 2006. Becoming a party to the convention would do much to enhance Thailand’s international reputation and would be an important first step in openly addressing the practice of torture there.
Yours sincerely,
Basil Fernando
Executive Director
Link to the Thailand report: http://www.ahrchk.net/hrday2005/pdf/HRDay-Thailand.pdf
Link to AHRC’s 2005 International Human Rights Day page: http://www.ahrchk.net/hrday2005/
Link to AHRC’s Human Rights Day Message: http://www.ahrchk.net/hrday2005/05message.htm
