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Political rights: MEPs stress importance of free and fair elections in Thailand


Press Releases
DROI 

Yesterday

A delegation of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) of the European Parliament visited Thailand from 16-18 July 2018 to discuss a broad range of human rights issues.

The six-member delegation, headed by the Chair Mr. Pier Antonio Panzeri, included Francis Zammit Dimech (EPP), Andrey Kovatchev (EPP), Joachim Zeller (EPP), David Martin (S&D) and Barbara Lochbihler (Greens/Efa).

During the three-day visit, the DROI delegation held meetings with the government of Thailand, civil society organisations, political parties and visited the Samut Sakhon Province to discuss labour rights in the fisheries sector, migrant workers’ rights, issues related to trafficking in human beings as well as the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Speaking on behalf of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), at the end of the visit, Mr. Panzeri said, “I express appreciation for the open and frank discussions we had with the authorities. I welcome the launch of the EU-Thailand Labour Dialogue to address a broad range of issues, including the link between legal requirements and consequent implementation of labour rights in the fisheries sector. I consider this a positive development, helping the two sides to exchange best practices in fighting forced labour and in reducing vulnerability of migrant workers. I encourage the government to take further action by ratifying the ILO Conventions 188 (on Work in Fishing), 87 (Freedom of Association and the Right to Organise) and 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining). This would be an important step in the right direction. The government's effort to fight human trafficking by prosecuting and convicting traffickers is also another positive step.”

While acknowledging these positive developments, the DROI delegation expressed concern about the human rights situation in the country, including restrictions on fundamental civil and political rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association and assembly.

Mr Panzeri added, “a return to democracy through free, fair and inclusive elections constitutes an essential condition for the EU-Thailand relationship enabling the resumption of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as well as the signature of the EU-Thailand Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

The European Parliament will pay close attention to the upcoming election process and at the same time will regularly assess the situation of human rights defenders, and the working conditions in the fishery and food processing industries, including migrant workers’ rights, with a particular focus on the fight against human trafficking and forced labour with the aim of enhancing respect for human rights.”

After the three days discussion Mr Panzeri concluded, on behalf of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, on the importance of:

  • Organising a free and fair general election in line with international standards with a view to restoring a democratically elected civilian government with functional democratic institutions,
  • Restoring civil and political rights in line with Thailand’s international obligations by lifting all restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association with a conducive environment for political parties, civil society organisations and human rights defenders to exercise their rights freely and peacefully,
  • Respecting the Thailand government commitments made in the 2016 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its Third Human Rights Action Plan to take concrete steps towards abolishing the death penalty, and
  • Reconsidering the disproportionate use of criminal and sedition laws, which often carry penalties of imprisonment against human rights defenders and investigate human rights violations committed by the security forces to promote the rule of law and to end impunity.

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