The selection of seven new members for Thailand's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) kicks off this month, and all indications are that the process will do little to shore up the commission's tarnished reputation.
Once considered a model for national human rights bodies in Southeast Asia, the NHRC has been plagued by interference from successive governments since the first group of commissioners finished their term in 2009. The commission's credibility hit a low point in 2015 when the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and the United Nations Human Rights Council downgraded its global ranking from "A" to "B" -- thus revoking privileges to speak on the floor and present its views during Human Rights Council sessions. The downgrade stemmed from the commissioners' lack of broad-based representation and questions regarding the NHRCT's displays of political partiality.
These problems have lingered because the latest 38 candidates are comprised primarily of retired government officials, with only few having concrete experience working in human rights.
The candidates' credibility has been undermined because none is known to have spoken out about Thailand's pressing human rights issues under the ruling military junta after they submitted their applications, raising doubts about how independent, impartial, and effective they would be as commissioners.
Nor have any of the candidates expressed concern that the commission's current legal governance is seriously flawed. Human Rights Watch has repeatedly pointed out that the 2017 National Human Rights Commission of Thailand Act seriously weakened the agency, stripped away its independence, and transformed it into a de-facto government mouthpiece. The law does nothing to safeguard the competence, independence, and mandate requirements called for under the international Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions on Human Rights ("Paris Principles").
Now more than ever, Thailand needs a credible national human rights body, led by committed commissioners to address the worsening human rights crisis under military rule. Choosing inexperienced and unqualified people to serve as commissioners will further weaken the NHRCT and make it a toothless institution that human rights abusers can easily ignore.
The Thai people deserve to hear from these 38 candidates, who need to immediately break their silence. If they are not ready or willing to do so, they should do their country a service by stepping down and letting the selection process start over.
Sunai Phasuk
Senior Researcher, Human Rights Watch Asia Division
One law for Yingluck?
There's something very fishy if Yingluck Shinawatra can obtain a multiple-entry visa from the UK Border Agency to live in Covent Garden according to your/BBC's recent report. Although UK visa applications are now processed by an outsourced group, the questions in the online application form are very probing concerning the applicant's integrity and it is most surprising that her application was accepted if it was applied for through this conduit under her family name, considering her fugitive status. I can't see how else it could be done if her diplomatic passport has been revoked.
Despite having visited the UK on 10 occasions since the mid-1990s, my wife still only receives a single-entry visa.
Perhaps the Shinawatra family holdings in London facilitate the process, so there is one law for the rich and another for those less fortunate.
Ellis O'Brien
Talking of extradition
An online news story reports that the Thai government has requested extradition for Yingluck Shinawatra from the UK. Is there any reason the government can give for not making the same request for the Red Bull scion?
The standard line is that no one knows where he is, something very, very difficult to believe, with Interpol and international communications. Surely his family here in Bangkok is sending him money. That itself is easily traceable.
Jack Gilead
Mahakan sadness
I could not agree more with Ploenpote Atthakor in her Opinion piece, "Mahakan: An awful example of renovation", on Aug 2. How sad to see our treasure city in the hands of someone who don't know how to handle it right.
A concerned reader
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