Bangkok, 29 August 2008 – On the occasion of International Day of the Disappeared, the Working Group on Justice for Peace (WGJP) calls on the Thai government to ratify the new Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances as reports of this atrocious crime being committed by state forces continue to surface throughout Thailand. While knowing of many more cases, WGJP has collected over 90 cases of disappearances throughout Thailand, of which 6 occurred in the last year.
According to the data collected by WGJP, the district with the highest amounts of reports of human rights violations including disappearances and extra-judicial killings in the northeastern part of Thailand is Kalasin where police forces systematically abuse their powers with impunity. The latest case occurred in Khon Kaen province on 7 February 2008 when a well-to-do family man disappeared from a police station as a result of fighting corruption within his community. He had called from the police station several times to explain that he was still there and at 11pm the family received the last call which was cut off. His wife has not left the house since then due to fear.
State forces continue to use enforced disappearances as a tool against suspected Malay Muslim separatists in Southern Thailand. Four cases were reported in 2007 wherein military officers were seen to forcibly drag people away from their homes with their wives and children watching. In all cases, family members went from one army camp to another to find the missing to no avail. In one case, the relatives are till this day being regularly harassed by the officers who took the missing. Three of the four disappearances took place in Bannang-sata district of Yala, known for gross human rights violations including dozens of extra-judicial killings.
In the North of Thailand, disappearances have been reported by minority groups who have been facing systematic and widespread abuses by state forces. One hill tribe group in Fang district reported 15 cases of disappearances within their community. Most of the cases occurred in 2003-2004 and paramilitary forces were identified as the perpetrators. The hill tribe communities have nowhere to turn in their struggle for justice as they are deprived of any rights in Thailand despite being citizens.
In all of the cases, no steps were taken to investigate the whereabouts of the missing and hold perpetrators accountable. Instead, the family members continue to be harassed by state forces. Consequently, WGJP reported 15 cases to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances all of which were transmitted to the Thai government. A further eight cases are being submitted today from families residing in Southern Thailand. “As the Thai government continues to sideline its obligations to protect human rights and hold perpetrators of violations accountable, Thai citizens have little choice but to exhaust all possible mechanisms to urge for greater accountability by the government,” said Angkhana Neelaphaijit, Chairperson of WGJP. “The convention is a further necessary mechanism in order to prevent and suppress this most serious human rights violation.”
Families, left without protection, support and income, suffer permanently as a result of this inhumane crime. The constant wait and uncertainty about the fate and whereabouts of their loved one combined with the continual harassment by state forces, leaves them in a state of permanent terror. A dozen families have been offered compensation up to 100,000 baht by the Thai government, but this tactic to compel their silence merely reinforces their determination to fight for truth and justice. “Contrary to the government’s hope, we will not forget and not give up,” was the main message by families of the disappeared during a rehabilitation workshop held recently by WGJP. “We will unite and together we will fight for justice however long it may take,” said the families coming from all parts of Thailand.
To effectively struggle against and to eradicate enforced disappearances and impunity – which is the principle factor that encourages the continuation of the practice – an international convention is needed as well as the mobilization of all human energies against this scourge. In this light, WGJP, in collaboration with the national Human Rights Commission and the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, will hold an experts’ roundtable on 29 August 2008 to elaborate a strategy for the Thai government to ratify the convention. The convention provides for two new rights – the right not to be disappeared as well as the right to know the truth – and contains several provisions concerning prevention, investigation and sanctioning of this crime, as well as rights of the victims and their relatives. As of yet, Thailand is lacking a law criminalizing disappearances. The only case of disappearance tried in court was that of well-known human rights lawyer, Somchai Neelaphaijit, and even then only minor charges of coercion were brought against the perpetrators.
The families of the disappeared will come together on 30 August 2008 to commemorate their loved ones through art performances, exhibits and music at Thammasat University. It was at the same place last year that families came together and planted a tree in memory of the disappeared. This tree and the families’ determination to fight in unity will ensure that some day the dignity of the missing is restored. In this light, WGJP calls on all people to join and support the families of the disappeared to let them know they are not alone in their struggle. People from all walks of life can sign a postcard petition calling for the ratification of the convention as well as make donations to the families.
The Working Group on Justice for Peace was established in June 2006 to protect human rights, promote access to justice and to end impunity in Thailand.
For further information, please contact WGJP at: WGJP.Bkk@gmail.com or Angkhana Neelaphaijit at 084-728-0350
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