On Thursday, the Human Rights Watch called on Japan and the United Nations to address the military rule in Thailand. An article released by the rights group urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to act upon the junta leader's control of Thailand.
Thailand's junta leader has been accused of wrongful political actions such as arresting opposition members. HRW addressed specifically Prime Minister Abe and UN leader Ban Ki-moon because of the Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha's visit to Japan on March 13 and 14. The Thai Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with both Ban Ki-moon and Abe during his visit.
Thailand's current military leader Prayuth came into power on May 2014 when he led a military coup. Since then, the military leader has allowed for the violation of human rights in the country. Back in February, Abe met with the military leader and shared that the Thailand government should be restored to a nation with more democracy.
"Japan's strong expectations for Thailand's national reconciliation and a return of civilian rule as early as possible," said Abe.
Since then, Prayuth has not improved democracy in Thailand. The HRW says that Japan must become more assertive in its stance towards democracy. The junta in Thailand has not made any progress towards a democratic government that follows international regulations on human rights. Though the Thai government claims a goal of democracy, it continues to increase its political prisoners and strictly enforce censorship in both media and Internet.
Brad Adams, the Asia director for the HRW, says " Prime Minister Abe and Secretary-General Ban should press General Prayuth to uphold his pledges to respect human rights and restore democratic civilian rule through free and fair elections. Japan and the United Nations should insist on a clear deadline for the end of military rule in Thailand."
"Regardless of its promises to respect human rights, the junta is further tightening its grip on power. Pressure from Japan and the United Nations is needed get martial law revoked, censorship ended, and peaceful political criticism allowed. That will be a major step towards a return to democratic rule in Thailand."
