"Prime Minister Abe should emphasize Japan's deep concerns with military rule in Thailand. The Thai junta leader should be told there will be no return to business as usual until Thailand returns to democratically elected civilian rule, and respect for human rights is restored," HRW Asia director Brad Adams was quoted as saying by the organization.
#Japan's PM Abe should press #Thailand’s junta leader to improve human rights and restore democratic civilian rule. http://t.co/StdzM9Lywa
— Wenzel Michalski (@WenzelMichalski) 6 февраля 2015
Japan has failed to advocate democracy, human rights and the rule of law in its diplomatic exchanges, but Abe should use this occasion to call on the Thai government to address a number of pressing human rights concerns, according to HRW.
"In the eight months since the military coup, the junta has made no genuine progress toward restoring democratic rule. … The interim constitution and the draconian Martial Law of 1914 provide immunity to junta members to commit human rights violations," HRW said.
A military coup in Thailand took place on May 22, two days after Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, the current prime minister, introduced martial law in the country. In the days that followed the coup, military authorities announced they were targeting national reconciliation and new elections.
Chan-ocha, who chairs the NCPO, is expected to visit Japan from February 8 to 10 to meet Abe to discuss bolstering Japanese investment in Thailand.
