The NCPO has already violated several key provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) regarding freedom of movement (Article 12), expression (Article 19), and peaceful assembly (Article 21) as well as the prohibition of arbitrary arrest and detention (Article 9).

Under Article 4 of the ICCPR, a state party can derogate from the provisions of the Covenant only in “time of public emergency which threatens the life of the nation.” Prior to the NCPO’s seizure of power, street protests were largely confined to areas of Thailand’s capital. In addition, the NCPO’s declaration of coup d’état power came immediately after the remaining cabinet ministers had refused to resign. As a result, the military coup must be regarded as the overthrowing of a legitimate government and cannot be construed as a “public emergency which threatens the life of the nation.”

In addition, the NCPO’s incommunicado detention of scores of individuals under provisions of martial law has the potential to lead to torture and ill-treatment, which are strictly prohibited by the ICCPR and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. On 23 May, the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) said it was “deeply concerned” over the declaration of martial law in Thailand. The CAT urged Thailand to ensure that the application of martial law throughout the country “under no circumstances violates the rights guaranteed in the Convention.”

Read the rest of the situation note :

Mass arrests: Over 370 arbitrarily detained incommunicado

Freedom of expression: TV, radio stations shut down; journalists detained; censorship imposed

Freedom of assembly: Public gatherings banned, anti-coup protesters threatened