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*