Regarding the Amnesty International’s report entitled “Makes Him Speak by Tomorrow: Torture and Other Ill-treatment in Thailand” released on 28 September 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand wishes to clarify as follows:

          • The Royal Thai Government welcomes all information on this matter, as it would help the work of the government in the area of human rights and in ensuring transparency, fairness and justice through our judicial process. However, the information contained in the report is yet to be verified, especially for cases in which the alleged victims remain anonymous. Relevant authorities are currently in the process of examining its accuracy. 

          • It is the Government’s duty to protect all persons from human rights violations. Perpetrators of violations shall be brought to justice, if acts of torture and ill-treatment were actually committed against civilian by authorities as alleged in the report. 

          • All victims of torture are entitled to seek compensation under the Damage for the Injured Person and Compensation and Expense for the Accused in Criminal Case Act 2001. Moreover, the Ministry of Justice is currently exploring the possibility of setting up the system of remedy with a holistic approach that covers physical and psychological rehabilitation, restitution, satisfaction and guarantee of non-repetition. 

          • Thailand is party to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) since 2007. The government has taken concrete measures such as pushing forward the legislation for implementation of the CAT and trainings on human rights for security officers. The draft Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, approved by the Cabinet in May this year, will not only strengthen our compliance with the CAT, but will also enable Thailand to ratify the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED). 

          • In addition, Thailand is preparing to become party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). Training have been provided, in cooperation with OHCHR and international NGOs specialized in the prevention of torture, to relevant authorities, including the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand who would serve as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) once the OPCAT become effective. 

          • Thailand’s determination to ratify OPCAT is clearly reflected as part of the recommendations that enjoy Thailand’s support from the Second Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) this year. 

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