The Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF) and the Network of Torture Victims and Families of the Disappeared have released a statement calling for the government to immediately accede to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) without any conditions or reservations, and to immediately lift the reservations made by Thailand under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
The content of the letter is as follows:
Call for the government to accede to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) without conditions or reservations.
The CrCF is a non-profit human rights organization recognised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The foundation works to promote and protect human rights and the people’s right to access justice, especially in cases of human rights violations by state authorities through torture, inhumane or degrading treatment, and forced disappearances.
Since the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act B.E. 2565 (the Enforced Disappearance Act) was promulgated on October 25, 2022, and has been in effect since February 22, 2023, this law allows Thailand to comply with the Convention Against Torture (CAT), to which Thailand acceded on October 2, 2007, with enforcement starting on November 1, 2007, and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) which Thailand has signed but to which it has not yet acceded while the law was not implemented.
The Enforced Disappearance Act now has significant provisions that make acts of torture and enforced disappearance criminal offenses, enabling Thailand to comply with both conventions. However, seven months after the promulgation of the act, there is still a lack of legal procedural steps at the international level for Thailand to become a full party to both treaties.
The Cross Cultural Foundation and the Network of Victims and Families of the Disappeared, who have signed below, therefore request that the government take the following actions:
1. Immediately have Thailand accede to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance without any conditions or reservations.
2. Immediately lift the reservations made by Thailand under the Convention Against Torture.
The list of the Network of Victims and Families of the Disappeared includes:
Sitanan Satsaksit, elder sister of Wanchalearm Satsaksit
Kanya Teerawut, mother of Siam Teerawut
Gorgarn Buppawath, son of Chatchan Bupphawan
Pranee Danwattananusorn, wife of Surachai Danwattananusorn
Attasit Nussa, an individual affected by torture.
Cross Cultural Foundation.
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