The Constitutional Court’s decision yesterday to dissolve the opposition Move Forward party has disenfranchised the over 14 million Thais who voted for the party in the May general election last year and raises questions about their representation in Thailand’s electoral system, the US Department of State said in a statement yesterday.
It also said that the ruling jeopardises Thailand’s democratic progress and runs counter to the aspirations of the Thai people for a strong democratic future.
“The United States does not take a position in support of any political party, but, as a close ally and friend with deep and enduring ties, we urge Thailand to take action to ensure fully inclusive political participation and to protect democracy and the freedoms of association and expression,” according to the statement.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch (HRW) Asia Director Elaine Pearson said that the case against the Move Forward party, which was initiated by the Election Commission, was “a sham right from the start” and the Constitutional Court’s ruling is a severe blow to Thailand’s teetering efforts to restore democratic rule after years of military dictatorship.
Disbanding the party violates the rights of its members to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and democratic representation and participation, which are guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Thailand ratified in 1996, said HRW.
HRW urged the US, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, Japan and South Korea to publicly convey to Thai government that the charter court’s decision is inconsistent with Thailand’s bid for membership of the UN Human Rights Council for 2025-27.
“The UN and concerned governments should denounce the Move Forward party’s dissolution as a jarring setback for political pluralism in Thailand,” said Pearson.
