“The authors have expressed their views with no updates of the latest status of each issue and, therefore, without taking into consideration progress and efforts made in the country,” a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

It said Thailand had taken many positive steps in the promotion and protection of human rights but the report failed to take into consideration such developments and efforts.

HRW released its World Report 2017 on Friday, saying Thailand’s military junta increased its repression and failed to restore democratic rule in 2016.

The group said a new constitution, adopted in a referendum last August that was marked by a crackdown against critics, effectively entrenched abusive and unaccountable military rule.

In the 687-page World Report, its 27th edition, HRW reviewed human rights practices in more than 90 countries.

“Thailand’s human rights crisis has worsened over the year as the military junta has tightened its grip on power and led the country deeper into dictatorship,” Brad Adams, Asia director, said in a statement.

Adams said rather than leading the country back to democratic rule, the junta had increasingly persecuted critics and dissenters, banned peaceful protests, censored the media, and suppressed speech in the press and online.

“Prime Minister Prayut [Chan-o-cha] has fed the UN and its member countries empty promises on human rights,” Adams said.

He said the junta needed to be pressed to end repression, respect fundamental freedoms, and return Thailand to democratic civilian rule.

However, the Foreign Ministry said there had been significant progress in regard to the government’s efforts on the road map toward restoring a strengthened and sustainable democracy, social harmony, plus political stability.

Second phase of road map

Thailand was now in the second phase of the road map, with the government forging ahead with comprehensive reforms to lay a strong foundation in order to achieve a genuine democracy as well as undertaking legislative reforms, it said.

More than 190 laws have been promulgated with a view to addressing chronic problems from the past, including inequality and human rights issues such as gender equality, human trafficking, illegal fishing and labour rights, it said.

“Such a foundation will facilitate the proceeding to the third phase of the roadmap, whereby general elections will be held, and ensure long-term political stability after the new government takes office,” it said.

Thailand has signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) in 2012 and was in the process of passing domestic legislation to ratify the convention, it said.

The ministry said the draft Act on the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance had been reviewed by the Council of the State and endorsed by the Cabinet; it was now being assessed by the National Legislative Assembly.

The government had also cooperated with the Myanmar government and UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to facilitate the voluntary return of 71 displaced people from Myanmar in October 2016.

The Joint Working Group co-chaired by the permanent secretary of Foreign Affairs and his Myanmar counterpart will meet soon to discuss the eventual return of the remaining 102,000 refugees in the border camps, which will be assisted by the UNHCR.

But the government would continue to promote and protect rights in line with the country’s international obligations for the benefits of Thai society and people, it said.