Bangkok: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a statement opposing the use of criminal records of family members to undermine and diminish the legitimacy of those who scrutinize the work of the government.
According to Thai News Agency, the Minister of Justice gave an interview in which he responded to a lawyer who had questioned and urged him to expedite the Khao Kradong land case, and also revealed the criminal records of the lawyer's parents.
The NHRC believes that publicly disclosing the arrest and criminal records of family members to retaliate against critics of the state's actions infringes upon the right to privacy, honor, reputation, and family, which are protected by Article 32 of the 2017 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand and Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Furthermore, criminal records are highly sensitive personal information; even mentioning them as examples does not negate the consequences of such public disclosure. The NHRC reaffirms the principle that individuals are only responsible for their own actions, and no one should be stigmatized or have their human dignity diminished as a result of the actions of their parents.
Furthermore, the Minister of Justice oversees the Department of Corrections and the Department of Probation, which have the direct responsibility for rehabilitating and reintegrating prisoners into society with dignity, in accordance with the United Nations Minimum Standards for the Treatment of Prisoners. For the ministry's top executive to publicly use negative language towards prisoners reinforces the stigma against prisoners, ex-convicts, and their families, and is inconsistent with the ministry's mission.
The NHRC views questioning and urging the swift action of government agencies as an exercise of freedom of expression and the right of citizens to scrutinize the government, as guaranteed by Articles 34 and 41 of the Constitution and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which recognizes the right to freedom of thought and expression and the right to access public information.
The National Human Rights Commission therefore urges the Minister of Justice to refrain from such actions again and to consider taking responsibility for the individuals and families affected. The Commission also requests the Prime Minister, as head of government, to instruct the Cabinet to set an example in respecting human dignity, and asks the media and the public to exercise caution in republishing personal information of the affected families.