Tools for
More on Thailand
- Five student activists advocating human rights disappear
18-08-2008 | Asian Human Rights Commission - Athiwat Chaiyanurat: shot dead in his home following death threats related to reporting
06-08-2008 | Thai Journalists Association - Human Rights under Attack - Overview of the human rights situation in Southern Thailand
13-03-2008 | Working Group on Justice for Peace - Lives of witnesses at risk if ministry does not reverse decision on protection
27-02-2008 | Asian Human Rights Commission - Concern for security of Thai witnesses
22-02-2008 | The May 18 Memorial Foundation
News Defenders
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International PEN Day to Protect Freedom of Expression - Nguyên Hoàng Bao Viêt, International PEN
20 November -
Ebrahim Mehrnehad: sentenced to five years’ imprisonment / Fazlorahman Jahras, Abdollah Salarzahi and Asadollah Shahbaksh: released - Amnesty International, Iran
19 November -
Seventy journalists arrested at demonstration against government censorship - International Federation of Journalists, Sudan
19 November -
The EMHRN and the IHD urge the Turkish authorities to allow Jon Rud access to Turkey - Human Rights Association, The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Turkey
19 November -
Mr. Youssef Azizi Bani-Torof: sentenced to five years’ imprisonment - The Observatory, Iran
18 November
Make Sure the Thai Government Fulfills Promise of Justice for Disappeared Lawyer
SendTake Action:
http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/Somchai_Verdict
"We know that he is dead, as we have found some evidence... Government officials were definitely involved in this, and there were more than four, but whether the evidence will lead to punishment in court is another thing."
-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
On January 12 a Thai judge found a mid-ranking policeman guilty of coercion in the case of the disappearance of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit. Police Major Ngern Thongsuk received three years. But the other four defendants, all policemen, were acquitted due to lack of evidence, and the charges of robbery and coercion never matched the seriousness of the crime. Human Rights First observed the trial and found a number of concerns, summarized in the press release below.
Just before his disappearance in March 2004, Somchai had accused the police of torturing five men detained in the troubled southern region of the country.
In the days after the conviction, the Prime Minister at last confirmed that the government knew Somchai was dead and would soon file murder charges. He also stated that at least four government officials were involved in the crime.
This is very welcome news, but there have been similar promises from the authorities before.
That’s why it’s so important to keep the pressure on the Thai government. Please contact Prime Minister Thaksin and urge him to ensure the investigation, prosecution, and conviction of those responsible for this terrible crime.
Click Here to Take Action
Click here to learn more about the disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit
Click here to read the Press Release and HRF Trial Observer’s Concerns about the Trial
http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/Somchai_Verdict
"We know that he is dead, as we have found some evidence... Government officials were definitely involved in this, and there were more than four, but whether the evidence will lead to punishment in court is another thing."
-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
On January 12 a Thai judge found a mid-ranking policeman guilty of coercion in the case of the disappearance of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit. Police Major Ngern Thongsuk received three years. But the other four defendants, all policemen, were acquitted due to lack of evidence, and the charges of robbery and coercion never matched the seriousness of the crime. Human Rights First observed the trial and found a number of concerns, summarized in the press release below.
Just before his disappearance in March 2004, Somchai had accused the police of torturing five men detained in the troubled southern region of the country.
In the days after the conviction, the Prime Minister at last confirmed that the government knew Somchai was dead and would soon file murder charges. He also stated that at least four government officials were involved in the crime.
This is very welcome news, but there have been similar promises from the authorities before.
That’s why it’s so important to keep the pressure on the Thai government. Please contact Prime Minister Thaksin and urge him to ensure the investigation, prosecution, and conviction of those responsible for this terrible crime.
Click Here to Take Action
Click here to learn more about the disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit
Click here to read the Press Release and HRF Trial Observer’s Concerns about the Trial
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