Thailand: "Disappearance" verdict leaves questions

15 January 2006

Thailand: "Disappearance" verdict leaves unanswered

questions

Significant questions remain unanswered in the

case of Somchai Neelapaijit, said Amnesty International as

the verdict was announced in the trial of five police

officers charged in connection with the "disappearance" of

the leading human rights lawyer.

"Instead of resolving the

'disappearance' of Somchai, the trial of five police

officers has ended with his fate and whereabouts

unclarified," said Catherine Baber, Deputy Asia Director at

Amnesty International. "The authorities must act to clarify

these questions and ensure all suspected perpetrators of his

'disappearance' are brought to justice."

One police

officer was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for

coercion, while the other four were acquitted. As forced

"disappearance" is not a criminal offence under Thai law,

the five police officers suspected of involvement in his

"disappearance" were charged with lesser offences of theft

and coercion.

Somchai Neelapaijit's "disappearance" is an

important test case of Thailand's ability to provide redress

and remedy for all human rights violations, and to protect

those, like him, who have endeavoured to defend human rights

in the country.

Thailand must demonstrate its commitment

to ending "disappearances" by making forced "disappearances"

an offence under Thai criminal law, and ratifying the UN

International Convention for the Protection of all Persons

from Enforced Disappearances.

It is paramount that the

authorities act to guarantee a climate in which people may

report on all alleged violations of human rights by state

officials and seek redress without fear of reprisal,

including "disappearance". They should ensure that

investigations of state officials are carried out

independently by a body with the power to recommend

prosecution and provide protection to both plaintiffs and

witnesses.

Background

Somchai Neelaphaijit, 53, the

Chairman of the Muslim Lawyers Association and vice chair of

the Human Rights Committee of the Lawyers Association of

Thailand, "disappeared" after being forced into his car on

12 March 2004 in Bangkok. Before he "disappeared" he had

received death threats and been intimidated.

Somchai

Neelapaijit had been a prominent critic of the declaration

of martial law in Thailand s southern provinces, and was

acting on behalf of five individuals detained in connection

with violence in the south, who had been tortured by police.

The individuals have subsequently been released from

detention and no-one is known to have been prosecuted for

their torture. Somchai Neelaphaijit s wife and family have

received threats warning them not to speak out about his

"disappearance".

The Thai authorities' past failure to

hold anyone to account for human rights violations,

including "disappearances" has fostered a climate in which

security forces have committed human rights violations such

as "disappearances" with

impunity.

THIS ISSUE

Lead

NZ News

NZ Politics

World News

Features

International News

Suva back to normal after security scare? - Fiji's police have been taken off alert 24 hours after a security scare raised fears of another coup in the South Pacific nation. Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes, an Australian expatriate, said life had returned to normal in Suva. See... Suva back to normal after security scare

ALSO:Fiji: "situation" at the RFMF, latest Coup TensionsFiji: Commissioner of Police on Coup Tensions1800 Fijians cannot vote in 2006 election

Scoop Audio: Noam Zolfikar - Acehen human rights activist talks about Aceh human rights abuses - Zolfikar interviewed by Aaron Skudder and Angelique Kasmar for Radio Chomsky

Scoop Audio: Latest UN News Brief

Annan urges Iranian nuclear negotiator to avoid escalation - Responding to Iran s decision to end its suspension of uranium enrichment activities, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged Tehran s key nuclear official to find a negotiated settlement and later briefed key countries on his diplomatic efforts. Mr. Annan, who also spoke extensively today with Mohamed ElBaradei, Director-General of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told reporters that he is "extremely concerned" about the situation. See... Annan urges Iranian negotiator to avoid escalation

ALSO:Iranian nation determined to defend nuclear rightIran: UN concern, removal of seals on uranium siteAustralia Condemns Iran's Latest Nuclear StepsNew Zealand reiterates strong concern about Iran's nuclear programme

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

Source: scoop

All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.