Thailand urged to make good on promise of torture, disappearance law

After finally passing a law to outlaw torture and enforced disappearance, Thailand must make good on its promise, a rights group said today.

A day after years-delayed legislation was adopted by the House of Representatives in a nearly unanimous vote, Human Rights Watch on Friday hailed the move as a “major step” but said the government must follow through by pursuing justice for the back catalog of abuses. 

“The Thai parliament took a major step toward outlawing torture and enforced disappearance, but they need to see this through to the finish line by ensuring that the law adopted meets international standards,” said Brad Adams, the group’s Asia director. “The victims of abuse and their families should have confidence that the government will do everything it can to ensure such practices are ended and those responsible are brought to justice.”

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