The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is writing to you further to open letters to the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Thailand, Lawyers Council of Thailand and Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva on the need for a concerted response to the alleged attempt to abduct Vasant Panich, NHRC member and head of the Subcommittee on Legislation and Administration of Justice, this 28 June 2006.
As we have described previously, on June 27 and 28, Mr. Vasant was tracked through his work and private phone numbers and by vehicle. On the morning of June 28 there appears to have been an operation aimed at abducting and possibly extrajudicially killing him in the same manner as internationally-known disappeared human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit, whose case we have raised with you previously. You may also be aware that the AHRC awarded its 2nd Asian Human Rights Defender Award to Mr. Somchai posthumously on 11 March 2006, to mark the second anniversary of his abduction (March 12). According to the latest information we have received from Mr. Vasant, he believes that he is still being followed and he is greatly concerned for his safety.
The failure of the government of Thailand to adequately address the case of Mr Somchai, together with those of other prominent human rights defenders and other persons who have been abducted or extrajudicially killed in recent times has raised serious questions about the sincerity of its voiced commitments to human rights. It has also led to strident and growing calls in Thailand and abroad that the Department of Special Investigation, which has been entrusted with a number of important cases, should be reformed and its director replaced.
As you will understand, the effect of these failures has been seriously undermine the international reputation of Thailand, making your work as a representative of the government abroad, and that of your peers, more difficult. This most recent incident especially comes as an enormous embarrassment as it involves a direct threat not merely to a private citizen but to one of the country’s officially-appointed human rights experts, apparently as a consequence of his work in that capacity.
How can the diplomatic corps of Thailand be expected to speak with candour on human rights, the rule of law and justice when even those persons the government have entrusted to the role of promoting and protecting these principles are subject to such serious threats without any response from the concerned authorities or any fear of consequences for the perpetrators? Under these circumstances, your position as a representative of the government of Thailand is made extremely difficult.
It is quite clear that the attempt on Vasant Panich was not for fun. Its can be presumed that it was part of preparations for his disappearance. In all likelihood had it succeeded Mr. Vasant would not have been seen alive again, and Thailand would have lost yet another outstanding human rights defender.
The Asian Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned to avoid circumstances under which it must approach you again to express the anger, frustration and outrage that we share with our colleagues in Thailand over the case of Somchai Neelaphaijit and others like him. On this occasion Vasant Panich survived. But that fact alone is no guarantee of future safety, either for him or any other person seriously engaged in work on human rights in Thailand. For real protection, the scheme behind this incident must be exposed and dismantled. This can be done only through a prompt and thorough investigation by experienced and independent personnel, ordered from the highest parts of government.
Accordingly, the Asian Human Rights Commission calls upon you to communicate these concerns to the appropriate authorities in Thailand in order to ensure that the necessary action is taken. We urge you to seek strong public commitments from the appropriate persons to protect and uphold the work of the National Human Rights Commission and all of its members. We trust that you will understand the extent to which the effectiveness of your own work as a representative of the government abroad depends upon these actions, and that you will not take your responsibility lightly.
Yours sincerely
Basil Fernando
Executive Director
Asian Human Rights Commission, Hong Kong
