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CAT status Status under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment State Party since 2 October, 2007
Reviewed 2014 Read review

Thailand

At a glance

Despite Thailand ratifying the Convention against Torture in 2007, United Nations experts continue to report the widespread use of torture and ill-treatment in the country. Detainees are frequently subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including as a means of extracting confessions, by the military, the police and prison officials, mostly in the southern region. The situation is exacerbated by the application of special martial laws which provide broad emergency powers to the security and military forces outside of judicial control and reinforce a climate of impunity for systematic and arbitrary human rights violations.

Human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers are also subjected to severe repression. They are frequently arrested, detained, and prosecuted for peacefully expressing their views on the government and the monarchy. There are numerous alleged cases of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings of human rights defenders, anti-corruption and environmental activists, which seem to be used by the military forces as a method of harassment and repression, in a total climate of impunity. Another challenge faced by Thailand are the numerous reports of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labour, especially affecting women and children.

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