Thailand: Statement by the Spokesperson on the dissolution of the Future Forward Party
Today’s dissolution of Future Forward, one of the main opposition parties, is a set-back for political pluralism in Thailand. The Party won more than 6 million votes in the March 2019 general elections.
Dissolving political parties or banning Members of Parliament runs counter to the process of restoring pluralism initiated last year. Political space in Thailand should remain open.
It is important that the authorities ensure that all legitimately elected Members of Parliament are able to continue fulfilling their parliamentary mandates, irrespective of the party from the list of which they were elected.
The European Union stands ready to broaden its engagement with Thailand, including on issues of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic pluralism, as underlined by the EU Foreign Affairs Council in its Conclusions of 14 October 2019.