A group of ASEAN parliamentarians has called on the international community to closely monitor the ongoing legal case in Thailand’s Constitutional Court that could lead to the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP). The court announced it will begin deliberations on the case on June 18, though a date for the ruling has not been set.
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), a network of lawmakers advocating for human rights, has urged the international community to take preventive measures against what it describes as the misuse of judicial instruments to dissolve the party.
The Election Commission has requested the court to consider dissolving the MFP for its platform to reform the lese majeste law, also known as Article 112. The law is intended to protect the monarchy, and any actions to reform it are viewed by some as an attempt to undermine the democratic government with the monarch as head of state. A ruling against the MFP could result in a 10-year political ban on its executive members.
APHR warns that such a ruling would infringe upon the legislative branch’s prerogatives and disregard the principle of separation of powers. “By preventing parliamentarians from deliberating on a law that does not align with international human rights standards, the court undermines democracy by placing that specific law beyond the reach of amendments,” said APHR Chair and Indonesian Member of Parliament Mercy Chriesty Barends.
APHR has also urged international human rights bodies and the global community to use international law to hold those responsible for judicial harassment in Thailand accountable.
“Democracy in Thailand is backsliding, not only due to a military coup but also through dubious legal interpretations targeting opposition politicians,” said APHR Co-Chair and former Malaysian MP Charles Santiago. “If the Move Forward Party is banned, like the Future Forward Party in 2019, millions will be disenfranchised, potentially leading to unrest and destabilization in Thailand. This would not only hinder Thailand’s democratic development but also harm the economy and tarnish the current Thai government’s reputation and legacy.”
In attendance at the discussions were various officials and representatives from relevant agencies, highlighting the significance of the issue and the urgency of the ongoing legal and political proceedings.
