H.E. Mr David Daly, Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand said, “The EU is a long-standing partner of Thailand in promoting and cooperating on universal values, including human rights and sustainable development. We are happy  to help Thailand in its commitment to eradicating torture and enforced disappearances through the enforcement of the recent law. The EU supports a society where every individual is free from torture and violence.”

“One year following the enforcement of the law, which represents a critical milestone in preventing and combating torture and enforced disappearances in Thailand, we are pleased to see that the Government is putting in place the necessary operational guidelines and regulations required by the Act. It is important that they incorporate relevant international standards and the capacity of law enforcement officers and other relevant officials is strengthened to ensure the effective implementation of the Act,” said Ms. Cynthia Veliko, Representative of the UN Human Rights Office for South-East Asia in Bangkok.

The EU-OHCHR-project aims to provide technical expertise to the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, the Committee on the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances and the subcommittees established under the law that will investigate the complaints of torture and enforced disappearances. This includes the support for the development of monitoring guidelines that meet international standards, and the establishment of confidential reporting mechanisms.

The project’s objectives are to assist Thailand to more effectively prevent and tackle torture and enforced disappearances by strengthening the legal framework, policies and practices; improving the responsiveness of those responsible at all levels; supporting the development of effective mechanisms, including independent national institutions to monitor, document and report on torture and enforced disappearances; and increasing public awareness of the new law as well as empowering the victims and their families to claim their rights.

The Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act B.E.2565 (2022) came into force in February 2023. The promulgation of this law is a critical milestone in combating torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearances in Thailand. In 2007, Thailand became a party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). In 2012, Thailand signed the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED); it still has to ratify it.