News

International organisations welcome Thailand's decision of removing death row inmates

17 May 2013

International organisations have welcomed Thailand's decision to remove the leg shackles from death row inmates, but say other forms of ill treatment still need to be addressed.

Matilda Bogner, regional representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for Southeast Asia, said death row conditions in many countries fall far short of international norms that prohibit cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The OHCHR and the human rights mechanisms of the United Nations have regularly expressed concern over the shackling of inmates on death row, said Ms Bogner. The practice of shackling undermined the dignity of the judicial process by seriously compromising the respectful treatment to which all prisoners were entitled, the Bangkok-based diplomat said.

Read here the full article.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.