Leading NGO calls for sanctions to be imposed on Thai military junta

A major human rights organization has called on the EU to impose “immediate” sanctions on Thailand.  Human Right’s Without Frontiers International (HRWF), a Brussels-based non-governmental organization, calls for the enforcement of both EU and US sanctions against Thailand after it was revealed that the country has remained on Tier 3 of the U.S’s 2015 Trafficking in Person’s (TIP) report for the second year in a row.

Thailand was automatically downgraded in 2014 after being on the Tier 2 watch list for four years consecutively before the downgrade. Although a Tier 3 status usually comes with sanctions, Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has said that Thailand can “rest easy” and was confident it would avoid any such sanctions after reports that US President Barack Obama waived them. Wongsuwan said: "I don't think there will be sanctions because Thailand has done things according to the rule of law, so we can rest easy.”

But Willy Fautre, director of HRWF, an independent organisation, says the time has come for sanctions in light of continuing international concern about a range of issues in Thailand since last year’s coup, including the rule of law, good governance, democracy, human trafficking and disregard for basic human rights.  Fautre told EU Reporter: “In order for the TIP report to hold any weight, the EU and US must make sure there are consequences for countries that do not fulfil their international agreements, and do not take the required steps to combat the modern day slavery of trafficking in human beings.”

Fautre added: “The 2015 report specifically mentions that “[s]ome Thai officials are complicit in trafficking crimes and corruption...[which] undermine anti-trafficking efforts. The US’ decision not to enforce sanctions gives these officials a green light to continue participating in these criminal activities, and does exactly the opposite of the report recommends.”

He went on: “Enforcing the sanctions would send a clear message to the Thai government – who has close ties with the US – that the US takes ending trafficking, and its own report, seriously.”  Washington recently said Thailand, a regional human trafficking hub, had not met the minimum standards for the elimination of the illicit trade.  Further pressure on the Thai junta has come from another human rights body, the New York-based Human Rights Watch, which has issued a policy paper condemning Thailand’s “deepening repression” since a military coup, led by Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Asia Director at HRW Brad Adams said: "We met with the EU and UK ambassadors last week to discuss this but haven't yet decided what exactly we will recommend."  Many, such as UK Socialist MEP David Martin, insist that economic and political pressure must be kept up by the international community, including the EU, to pressure the Thai junta to return to free and fair democratic elections. The Scot said that negotiating with Thailand would “make a mockery” of human rights clauses linked to trade trade agreements.

His sentiments are echoed by British Conservative MEP Charles Tannock, who said that Thailand “stands on the precipice” and that “only international pressure is likely to convince the Bangkok strongmen leadership to pull back from the edge of a dictatorial abyss”.  Meanwhile, the European Commission has admitted that it could be “months” before a final decision is taken on whether or not to step up measures against Thailand for illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU).  Thailand had been given until 31 October to comply with international IUU regulations or face the possibility of the “yellow card”, or warning, it has been issued with being upgraded to a “red card” and a potentially crippling import ban on fishing products to EU countries.

However, on Monday (2 November), a spokesman for the Commission’s health directorate told this website: "Thailand had six months to negotiate with the Commission and address the shortcomings identified. This period for Thailand ended on 31October. The Commission is now analysing the outcome of the negotiations and whether enough progress has been made to remove the yellow card. We will communicate on next steps once this analysis is finished in the coming months.”

According to latest media reports, the Thai government is set to issue an executive decree and other measures later this week to deal with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said a committee set up to tackle IUU fishing decided on the measures including an executive decree regulating fishing, a fishery management plan and a national plan of action.

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