Tactics and tools for the protection
of Human Rights Defenders

4 August 2011

Front Line is deeply saddened by the news of the killing of human rights defender and environmentalist Mr Thongnak Sawekjinda who was shot dead at his home in Muang District, Samutsakorn Province on 28 July 2011.

Further Information

Thongnak Sawekjinda, along with twelve other prominent human rights defenders and community leaders, had been actively involved in publicising both the environmental and health risks associated with coal mining factories operating in the Tambon Thasai Community.

On 28 July 2011, at 10.00am approximately, two men, on board a black and green Honda motorcycle stopped in front of Thongnak Sawekjinda’s home. The pillion passenger disembarked from the motorcycle, approached Thongnak Sawekjinda who was sitting in front of his house reading the newspaper, and opened fired. Thongnak Sawekjinda was shot nine times and was wounded in the left shoulder, stomach, chest, and back. The gunman returned to the motorcycle and both men, who were wearing helmets, fled the scene.

Thongnak Sawekjinda was transported to Mahachai Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

On 29 July, a number of human rights defenders from the Tambon Thasai Community, accompanied Ms Jomkwan Sawekjinda, Thongnak Sawekjinda’s wife, to a meeting with Mr Julapak Saengchan, Governor of Samutsakorn Province, during which they demanded that the preperators of Thongnak Sawekjinda’s murder be brought to justice. Julapak Saengchan reportedly stated that he would coordinate with the police officers overseeing the case and ensure that those responsible would be held to account for the murder.

Between 30 July and 3 August 2011, six suspects believed to be involved in the murder were apprehended by the police, and are reportedly being held at Samutsakorn Provincial Prison.

On 27 July, the day before he was shot dead, Thongnak Sawekjinda went to the Administrative Court in Samutsakorn Province to provide additional information regarding a complaint he had lodged with the court concerning alleged violations of the rights of the Tambon Thasai community by five coal mining factories namely Unit Mining Company, Asia Green Energy Company, Technic Team Company, Mahachai Energy Company, SCG Energy Company. These factories are situated in Muang District and Krathumban District in Samutsakorn Province.

On 21 July, Thongnak Sawekjinda filed a complaint with the Samutsakorn Muang District Police Precinct after receiving a phone call during which the caller asked him why he was leading a campaign against the coal-mining companies. The caller then warned Thongnak Sawekjinda to “watch your back”.

Since 2006, Thongnak Sawekjinda has publicly criticised the construction of coal mining factories which often encroach on the Tambon Thasai Community’s right to land, and create pollution. In March 2008, he led a campaign against the coal mining industry in Tambon Thasai Community following the purchase by a coal mining company of land worth 200 Rai from the Tambon Thasai Community. More recently, on 13 July 2011, Thongnak Sawekjinda led a demonstration demanding that the Governor of Samutprakarn Province sign an agreement calling on all coal mining companies to cease operating immediately, a move which would permit the Pollution Control Department to conduct an investigation into the environmental and health risks associated with such companies.

Front Line believes that the killing of human rights defender Thongnak Sawekjinda is directly linked to his work in the defence of human rights, in particular, his work defending the health and environment rights of Tambon Thasai Community.

Front Line is deeply concerned for the physical and psychological integrity and security of other human rights defenders involved in campaigning against the coal mining companies operating in the Tambon Thasai Community, who are heavily targeted and whose lives are at risk.

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