<p>Following the <a href="https://prachatai.com/english/node/8375">dissolution</a> of the Future Forward Party (FFP) on Friday (21 February), several human rights organizations, along with the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) and the Embassy of the United States in Thailand, have spoken out against the Constitutional Court&rsquo;s decision to dissolve the popular opposition party, a decision which has been seen as damaging to the country&rsquo;s return to democracy and as disenfranchising a large number of voters.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.hrw.org/thailand">Thai</a>&nbsp;authorities should immediately drop all politically motivated charges against opposition leaders and pro-democracy activists who held peaceful rallies in Bangkok and other Thai provinces, Human Rights Watch said today (18 December).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thai authorities over five years of military rule prosecuted numerous peaceful critics of the government to stay in power, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.</p>

<p>Since the announcement that bones&nbsp;bones found in Kaeng Krachan Dam have been confirmed to be those of Karen environmental activist and community rights defender Porlajee &ldquo;Billy&rdquo; Rakchongcharoen, who went missing in 2014. Several human rights organizations have since called for the Thai authorities to conduct an investigation into his abduction and murder.</p>

<p>Thai&nbsp;authorities should carry out an effective investigation, open to public scrutiny, into the abduction and intimidation of Eakachai Itsaratha, a community rights activist in Phatthalung province, <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/08/15/thailand-investigate-activists-abduction-phatthalung">Human Rights Watch</a> said today.</p>

<p>The new&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;government&rsquo;s policy statement fails to provide a pathway for restoring respect for human rights after five years of military rule, Human Rights Watch said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(New York, June 14, 2019) &ndash;&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;authorities are harassing and intimidating social critics for mocking Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha after he assumed the premiership for another term, <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/06/14/thailand-authorities-punish-mockery-junta">Human Rights Watch</a> said today.</p>

<p>Thai&nbsp;authorities should urgently and impartially investigate assaults on three prominent pro-democracy activists since May 2019, <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/06/04/thailand-3-junta-critics-assaulted-past-month">Human Rights Watch</a> said last week. Thai police have yet to arrest any suspects for the violent attacks, raising serious concerns about possible government involvement.</p>