HRW calls for rejection of NHRC nominees

HRW calls for rejection of NHRC nominees

Human rights advocate Angkhana Neelapaijit speaks at an event to mark the 11th anniversary of her husband Somchai’s disappearance in this March 12 file photo. (Photo by Somchai Poomlard)
Human rights advocate Angkhana Neelapaijit speaks at an event to mark the 11th anniversary of her husband Somchai’s disappearance in this March 12 file photo. (Photo by Somchai Poomlard)

Human Rights Watch on Friday called on the National Legislative Assembly to reject nominees for the National Human Rights Commission, arguing most are not qualified and the selection process did not meet international standards.

In its statement released on Friday, HRW said the selection committee, which comprised senior judges and the NLA president, reviewed 121 candidates without public input and applied unknown criteria.

It said only one of the candidates -- Angkhana Neelapaijit -- has a public record of working on human rights while one -- Boworn Yasinthorn -- has publicly supported repression of fundamental freedoms and opposed universal human rights principles.

Apart from calling for the NLA to reject the nominees picked by the selection committee, HRW also suggested that the new Thai constitution, which is still in the final stages of drafting, should ensure that the NHRC is credible, independent, and accountable, and that its commissioners are chosen in a transparent manner, open to public scrutiny and broad-based participation.

"Now more than ever, Thailand needs credible and committed human rights commissioners to address the worsening crisis under military rule," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Choosing inexperienced and unqualified people seems intended to make the National Human Rights Commission a weak and toothless institution."

The seven nominees picked by the selection committee are Mr Baworn Yasinthorn, a leader of the Citizen Volunteers for Defence of the Three Institutions; Chatsuda Chandeeying, a school owner and an associate judge of Samut Prakarn province's juvenile and family court; Prakayrat Tonteerawong, a board member of the Thai Women Empowerment Funds and an associate judge of Nonthaburi province's juvenile and family court; Wat Tingsamid, a former supreme court judge; Supachai Thanomsap, a medical doctor at Ramathibodi Hospital; Surachet Satidniramai, the acting permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry; and Mrs Angkhana, a well-known human rights defender who has campaigned against enforced disappearance, torture, and other state-sanctioned abuses.

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