BANGKOK, Sept. 15 Reuters - Thailand's parliament on Wednesday started debating draft legislation outlawing torture and enforced disappearance, after years of delay and civil society outrage over alleged abuses and impunity among law enforcement personnel.
A draft bill designed to punish and stop rogue state officials who abduct and torture suspects was initially approved by cabinet in 2016 but is stalled in the legislature.
A United Nations Panel has recorded 82 cases of forced disappearances in Thailand since 1980, while at least nine Thai dissidents who fled persecution in recent years have been abducted in neighboring countries, according to the Human Rights Watch group.
The progress of the latest legislation, of which one draft was approved by Cabinet in June, coincides with the alleged torture and death of six drug suspects by six police officers that went viral on a security camera last month.
The torture of people by state officials is a gross violation of human rights and cannot be conduct under any circumstances, justice minister Somsak Thepsutin told parliament.
For anyone found guilty of torture and enforced disappearances, proposed punishments include hefty fines and jail terms of 5 to 15 years, increased to 10 to 25 years if the victim is severely injured and 15 to 30 years or life in the event of their death.
Torture has happened in many parts of the country but has never been recorded as criminal cases because the act of state officials were not considered legal, said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, director of Cross Cultural Foundation, who monitors and documents torture and abuse.
The National Assembly President, Chuan Leekpai, says a vote on the various draft bills will be held on Thursday. Just before the final text of NSCC, the legislators expect the final version to be passed early next year.