Dear friends
On 28 November 2003, the Appellate Court in Thailand ordered the extradition of Cambodian national Mr. Sok Yoeun, 67, who is a political prisoner and prisoner of conscience, to Cambodia. According to the legal process ordered by the court verdict, Mr. Sok Yoeun must be extradited within 90 days. The verdict also notee that he cannot be extradited for the first 15 days after verdict (until 13 December 2003). Therefore, the Thai authorities can send Mr. Sok Yoeun back to Cambodia starting on 14 December 2003.
On 24 December 1999, Sok Yoeun, who fled to Thailand from Cambodian political oppression in September 1999, was arrested on the charge of involvement in the alleged assassination attempt on Hun Sen, which occurred on 24 September 1998. Since then, he has been imprisoned for over three and a half years. At the time of his arrest, he was recognized as a refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Later, he was also regarded as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. (Refer to our previous urgent appeal regarding this case: http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2003/512/)
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is gravely concerned that Mr. Sok Yoeun will be sent back to Cambodia, where he will be at risk of ill treatment, incommunicado detention, and unfair trial on politically motivated charges. Your urgent action is required to request the Thai government not to extradite Mr. Sok Yoeun back to Cambodia and to protect him in accordance with international human rights standards and laws.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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UPDATED INFORMATION:
According to the legal process refereed by the lower court verdict, the appeal verdict affirmed the lower court and the lower court decided to extradite Mr. Sok Yoeun within 90 days, but not to send him back for first 15 days (from 29 November to 13 December 2003). Mr. Sok Yeoun will be detained at the Klong Prem Prison before extradition. From 14 December 2003 (after 15 days), Thai authorities can request the court to summon Mr. Sok Yoeun in order to process the extradition. The Immigration Office and the Immigration Office shall request the court to order the prison authorities to send Mr. Sok Yoeun to the Suan Pu Immigration Detention Center until the extradition process is finished.
Please send a letter to the Thai authorities requesting them not to extradite Mr. Sok Yoeun to Cambodia and to protect him in accordance with international human rights standards and laws.
SUGESSTED ACTION:
Please send your letters to:
1. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
Office of the Prime Minister
Government House
Pisanulok Road, Dusit
Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Faxes: 011 66 2 282 8631
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
Email: govspkman@mozart.inet.co.th
2. Minister of Interior
Asdang Road
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Faxes: 011 66 2 226 4371
3. Minister of Foreign Affairs
Surakiart Sathirathai
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Saranromya Palce
Sri Ayudhya Road
Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Faxes: 011 66 2 643 5180
4. Chief Justice of the Criminal Court
Praman Teeyapaiboonfit
Criminal Court
Ratchadapisak Road
Jutujak
Bangkok 10900, Thailand
5. Mr. Jahanshah Assadi
Regional Representative
UNHCR Regional Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
3rd floor, United Nations Building
Rajdamnern Avenue, Bangkok 10120
THAILAND
Fax: (662) 280 0555; 281 6100
Email: assadi@unhcr.ch
6. Prof. Dr. Ruud Lubbers
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Case Postale 2500
CH-1211 Gen?e 2 D??
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 739 8111
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
email: webmaster@unhcr.ch
OTHER SUGGESTED ACTION:
You can also visit this website and sign online petition for Mr. Sok Yoeun: http://www.pitt.edu/AFShome/s/a/sak9/public/html/sokyoeun/
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear
Re: Sok Yoeun Should Not Be Extradited to Cambodia
I am writing to bring your urgent attention to Mr. Sok Yoeun, who faces extradition to Cambodia.
A Thai court rejected his appeal against extradition on November 28, and under Thai law he may be returned to Cambodia any time after December 13, 2003. Sok Yoeun, a Cambodian national, has been given refugee status by the United Nations High Comissioner for Refugees and is considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. He has been in detention in Thailand for three and a half years, pending the outcome of an extradition request by the Cambodian government.
I am gravely concerned that Mr. Sok Yoeun will be at risk of ill-treatment, incommunicado detention and unfair trial on politically motivated charges for which there is no evidence, if he is sent back to Cambodia.
I am calling for his immediate, unconditional release. I also urge you to allow Mr. Sok Yoeun to settle in a third country where he and his family have been granted asylum. In accordance with international human rights and refugee law, and for humanitarian reasons, Mr. Sok Yoeun should be freed immediately and reunited with his family.
Sincerely yours
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Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
