Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to forward to you the following press release from Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF) and International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
Asian Human Rights Commission
Hong Kong
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A Press Release from Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF) and International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
11 March 2011
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: The Appeals Court Judgment in the Somchai Neelapaijit Case: WAS JUSTICE DELIVERED?
On 11th March 2011, the Court of Appeal rendered a judgment absolving five police officers of any criminal responsibility in the “disappearance” of the prominent Muslim lawyer, Somchai Neelapaijit on the night of 12th March 2011. This decision has important consequences not only for the Somchai case itself but for broader issues of justice, human rights and rule of law in Thailand.
The Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) would like to invite you to attend a public event to examine key rule of law and policy issues concerning this case, from 12:00-15:00 on 17 March 2011, at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), phone no. 02 652-0580-1 (next to Chidlom BTS stattion); http://www.fccthai.com/location.html.
The event will be in Thai and English, with simultaneous translation. It will feature a video of
Somchai’s last public speech, followed by speakers:
– Angkhana and Pratabjit Neelapaijit, widow and daughter of Somchai Neelapaijit
– Vitit Muntarbhorn, Professor, Chulalongkorn University, UN human rights expert
– Roger Normand, ICJ Asia Pacific Director
Their brief presentations will be followed by an extended question-and-answer session with the audience, focused on key questions such as:
1. What was the nature of the evidence in the Somchai case?
2. Why did the Court of Appeal overturn the finding of guilt against the one convicted officer and uphold the acquittal of the other four police officers?
3. What are the next steps for Somchai’s family in this case?
4. What is the role and responsibility of the Government in major human rights cases?
5. What are the obstacles to achieving justice in the Thai legal system?
The audience will consist of members of Thai and foreign media, civil society representatives, diplomats, and Thai government officials. Complimentary tea and snacks will be served from 12:00 noon.
We would appreciate if you RSVP by Tuesday 15th March 2011 to the ICJ at: 02 619 8477 ext. 102, icj-asiapacific@icj.org, or JPF at: 02 975-9975, Napaporn@justiceforpeace.org
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