The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called upon the Ministry of Justice, asking it to act on the cases of nine Thai political activists who disappeared after seeking asylum in nearby countries. NHRC's Sayamol Kaiyoorawong recently presented an investigation report on these disappearances to Somboon Muangklam. Muangklam advises Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and also leads the committee on the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance.

 

The missing activists include Ittipon Sukpaen, Wuthipong Kochathamakun, Surachai Danwattananusorn, Chucheep Chiwasut, Kritsana Thapthai, Siam Theerawut, and Wanchalearm Satsaksit, who disappeared in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam between 2017 and 2021. The bodies of Chatcharn Buppawan and Kraidej Luelert, two of the activists, were regrettably found in concrete along the Mekong River border with Laos in late 2018.

 

These missing activists faced charges under the Computer Crime Act, the royal defamation law (Section 112 of the Criminal Code), or were accused of threatening political stability. The NHRC criticized the Thai government for failing to investigate these cases thoroughly, hinting that government institutions might be involved due to their negligence.

 

The NHRC found that government agencies did not effectively pair up with neighboring countries to solve these disappearances. It underscored the requirement for these agencies to respect legal procedures, determine why the disappearances happened, and hold anyone answerable for these acts accountable.

 

Also, the NHRC stressed the state's duty to provide financial compensation to the activist’s families. This requirement is dictated by the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the new Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act 2022.

 

The NHRC pointed out a problem in the 2001 act which determines damages for the injured person and compensation. This act lacks criteria for government compensation for enforced disappearances, and it appeared that no other types of compensation had been offered to the families affected.

 

NHRC's investigation found that the disappeared activists all held political opinions different from the government's stance. It has asked the Cabinet to rush the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-12

 

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Disappeared by the Junta. By Prayut. Maybe one day in the future when Thailand isn't controlled by the military elite he will face justice.

Thaksin must be quaking in his slippers.

Thailand gov is guilty until proven innocent in this case?