- Category: Statements
Enforced Disappearance in Thailand must end Now!
Eight years have passed but truth and justice for the disappeared prominent Thai human rights lawyer, Somchai Neelaphaijit still remain very elusive. Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit was forcibly disappeared on 12 March 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand. At the time of his disappearance, Mr. Somchai was working on torture cases committed by Thai security officers in the southern province of Thailand, which was then placed under martial law.
Despite efforts of Atty. Neelaphaijit’s family to bring his case at the national and international attention and to put those responsible to the bar of justice, only one of the five police officers who were arrested and prosecuted for their alleged involvement in the disappearance was convicted to a three-year imprisonment in January 2006. What added insult to injury was the verdict of Appeal Court on 11 March 2011, which suddenly reversed the decision of the Court of First Instance for lack of sufficient evidence and ruled that the wife and children of Somchai Neelaphaijit are not eligible to exercise their rights as the aggrieved party. This decision is nothing but a denial of his family’s right to uncover the truth and to seek justice.
- Category: Statements
Empower the Women-Victims, End Impunity for Enforced Disappearance
Today, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) joins the world in celebrating the 101st anniversary of the International Women’s Day. The AFAD as a regional federation of eleven member-organizations from different Asian countries pays tribute to all women and their indispensable role in society particularly in the struggle to end enforced disappearances worldwide.