Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung wants the Justice Ministry to report possible civil and political rights violations within the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders' proceedings to a UN human rights panel.
Chalerm: Wonders if world standards met
Mr Chalerm raised the issue at the cabinet meeting yesterday when a draft report on the human rights situation in Thailand was tabled for consideration.
As a party to the UN Human Rights Commission on International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Thailand is required to submit a periodic report on its national human rights situation to the commission. Thailand submitted its first report in 2004.
The Justice Ministry has completed drafting the second report, which was submitted for cabinet approval yesterday.
Mr Chalerm said the report should mention the judicial procedures of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders as it could be violating civil and political rights, a cabinet source said.
"Defendants in this court cannot appeal against verdicts and I wonder if such proceedings are in line with international legal procedures and human rights principles," Mr Chalerm was quoted as saying.
The court was set up under the 1997 Constitution to allow cases against politicians to be considered swiftly with a final decision made on a timely basis.
Nine judges are appointed to consider each case and the judicial panel's decision is final.
Mr Chalerm said he would like to send his staff to jointly work with the Justice officials on revising the draft report.
Justice Minister Pol Gen Pracha Promnok was upset with Mr Chalerm's proposal to revise the draft report, according to the same source.
Pol Gen Pracha explained that the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders allows convicted persons to file an appeal if they obtain new evidence.
So, it was inaccurate to conclude that the court is a single court, Pol Gen Pracha said.
He added that the revision could make Thailand miss the report submission deadline.
However, Mr Chalerm insisted the draft should be altered and the report finished within a month. The cabinet agreed with Mr Chalerm and asked him to work jointly with the Justice Ministry on the draft.