Bangkok (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU condemned Thailand’s Constitutional Court’s decision to dissolve the Move Forward Party, citing it as a setback for political pluralism and democratic freedoms.
What Did the EU Say About the Move Forward Party’s Dissolution?
The EU’s European External Action Service (EEAS) said that the judgment by the Constitutional Court of Thailand to disband another major political party, the Move Forward Party, is a reversal of political pluralism in Thailand.
Why Was the Move Forward Party Dissolved by Thailand’s Constitutional Court?
Thailand’s Constitutional Court demanded the dissolution of the major opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), the political party that succeeded in the highest number of votes (14.4 million) and parliamentary seats (151) in the 14 May 2023 general election. In addition, the Court demanded a ban on holding political office for 10 years for the party’s leader and executive members.
The lawsuit against the MFP derived from the party’s proposal to amend Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code (understood as lèse-majesté, or royal defamation), made during the drive period leading up to the general election. The Constitutional Court assumed that the MFP’s proposal amounted to an endeavour “to overthrow the democratic regime of administration with the King as head of state,” as defined by Article 49 of Thailand’s Constitution.
How Did the EU Respond to the Move Forward Party’s Dissolution?
EEAS stated that no democratic system can operate without a plurality of parties and candidates. Any restriction on the exercise of free association and presentation, in particular through the actions and formation of political parties, must be compatible with relevant provisions and principles of international instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The authorities must ensure that all legitimately elected Members of Parliament can persist in fulfilling their parliamentary declarations, irrespective of the party from which they were elected.
The European Union said that it stands ready to widen its engagement with Thailand under the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement inscribed on 14 December 2022, including on issues of democratic pluralism, fundamental freedoms, and human rights.
What Concerns Did UN Human Rights Experts Express About the Dissolution?
On 30 April 2024, two UN human rights experts reported to the Thai government to voice their concern that the abolition of the MFP and a political ban on its leaders“would have a chilling effect on democracy and civic space in Thailand.” The two human rights experts also reiterated their concern over the abuse of Article 112 to “deter and silence critics, political opponents, journalists, civil society actors, human rights defenders, and other individuals wishing to express themselves critically about public affairs, including the monarchy.”
