United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CAT/C/THA/CO/1 Distr.: General 20 June 2014 Original: English Committee against Torture Concluding observations on the initial report of Thailand* 1. The Committee against Torture considered the initial report of Thailand (CAT/C/THA/1) at its 1214th and 1217th meetings (CAT/C/SR.1214 and 1217), held on 30 April and 1 May 2014, and adopted the following concluding observations at its 1239th meeting (CAT/C/SR.1239), held on 16 May 2014. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of Thailand (CAT/C/THA/1) and the common core document (HRI/CORE/THA/2012). However, it regrets that the report was submitted with a delay of five years, which prevented it from monitoring the implementation of the Convention in the State party during that time. The Committee also notes that while the report generally follows the guidelines on the form and content of initial reports (CAT/C/4/Rev.3), statistical information on the implementation of the Convention in the State party is lacking. 3. The Committee appreciates the open and constructive dialogue with the high-level delegation of the State party and the additional information provided by the delegation. 4. The Committee is deeply concerned at the declaration of martial law throughout Thailand, since its recent dialogue with the State party. It emphasizes that the State party should adhere strictly to the absolute prohibition of torture and ensure that the application of martial law does not, under any circumstances, contradict the rights guaranteed in the Convention. In that regard, the Committee draws the State party’s attention to paragraphs 11 and 12 of the present concluding observations, which deal with the state of emergency in the southern border provinces as well as the three special laws currently in effect in Thailand. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that the application of martial law throughout Thailand does not, under any circumstances, contradict the rights guaranteed in the Convention. B. Positive aspects 5. The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in 2008. * Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-second session (28 April–23 May 2014) GE.14-05733 *1405733*

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