Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the arbitrary arrest and detention of Ms. Musliha Masae and her husband Mr. Ibroheng under martial law in southern Thailand. The couple, both authors, were arrested by a joint police and military force on August 12 at Taloe Kapor Beach. The authorities later conducted a search of their house and collected some items from there. At present, both are in custody at the Ingkhayuthboraihan Military Camp in Pattani province.
CASE NARRATIVE:
According to the Cross Cultural Foundation, on 14 August 2016 at 11:00 a.m., the combined forces of the military, the police and administrative officials, plus the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), arrested two authors. Mr. Ibroheng Arong, aka “Burong” and Ms. Musliha Masae, also known on Facebook as “Jae Nurihan Malaysia” and “Down to Earth Angel”, were arrested at Taloe Kapor Beach and then taken to Taskforce 42, before being placed in custody at the Ingkhayuthboraihan Military Camp, Pattani province.
On August 13, prior to the arrest, military officials from Taskforce 38, Narathiwat province, had gone to meet them at home, but did not find them as they were in Pattani. The officials then took the Deputy Village Headman into custody. His relatives contacted the author couple for help, asking them to report themselves to the authorities, but before they could do so, they were arrested under Martial Law provisions at Taloe Kapor Beach.
According to the security forces, the arrest had been made at the request of the DSI, since some of Ms. Musliha’s social media posts were deemed to be related to violent incidents. On August 16, the military allowed human rights activists to visit the two authors and have promised to expedite the interrogation process as much as possible and as provided for by the law.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Ms. Musliha Masae, also known on Facebook as “Jae Nurihan Malaysia”, is a prolific writer and popular among young and female Muslim readers for her love stories. Her ability to use Quranic teachings in her novels deeply resonates with teenagers and women. Far from being a religious scholar, Ms. Musliha is a simple merchant selling chicken in Tan Yong Mat market, Rangae District, Natathiwat province. A self-taught person, she has persevered to acquire more knowledge and has become quite a successful and prolific writer.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the authorities below, asking them to immediately release Mr. Ibroheng Arong and Ms. Musliha Masae, and demand a transparent investigation into their arrest.
Please note that the Asian Human Rights Commission is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and seeking his urgent intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
THAILAND: End illegal arrest and detention of author couple
Name of victim: Mr. Ibroheng Arong and Ms. Musliha Masae
Names of alleged perpetrators: The combined forces of the military, the police and administrative officials plus the Department of Special Investigation (DSI)
Date of incident: 13 August 2016 to the present
Place of incident: The Ingkhayuthboraihan Military Camp in Pattani province
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the arbitrary arrest and detention of two authors in southern Thailand. I have learnt that military officers, exercising their power under martial law, are holding Ms. Musliha and her husband Mr. Ibroheng by holding in a military camp. They were arrested on 14 August 2016 at 11:00 am, taken to Taskforce 42, and finally placed in custody at the Ingkhayuthboraihan Military Camp, Pattani province.
I am appalled that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which called for the couple’s arrest, has arbitrarily invoked martial law in this instance. It is crucial that a criminal investigation that attracts public attention be carried out transparently and based on the respect of human rights.
In addition, I wish to reiterate the wide scope for rights violations under martial law. The law provides for censorship measures, wide-ranging search and detention, restriction on movement, and the imposition of a curfew, to name a few. Furthermore, the law allows for detention at irregular places of detention for up to seven days before evidence of wrongdoing must be presented. Detention in irregular places increases the possibility of torture, forced disappearance and extrajudicial execution. In southern Thailand, where martial law has been in continual force since January 2004, the instrument has been used to arbitrarily detain activists as well as ordinary citizens.
I therefore urge the Military District Commanding Officer of Pattani to release Mr. Ibroheng Arong and Ms. Musliha Masae immediately and unconditionally, as well as to make their whereabouts and circumstances known.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. General Prayuth Chan-ocha
Prime Minister
Head of the National Council for Peace and Order
Rachadamnoen Nok Road
Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10200
THAILAND
Tel: +662 283-4000
Fax: +662 282-5131
Email: panadda_d@opm.go.th
2. General Teerachai Nakwanich
The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army
No.111 Rachadamnoen Nok Road
Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon
Bangkok 10210
THAILAND
Tel: +66 2 572 1234, +66 2 575 6634
3. Mr. What Tingsamitr
Chairman of National Human Rights Commission
The Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary 5th December
B.E.2550 (2007), Building B 120 Moo 3
Chaengwattana Road
Thoongsonghong, Laksi
Bangkok 10210
THAILAND
Tel: +662 141 3800, +6621413900
E-mail: help@nhrc.or.th
4. Gen.Paiboon Koomchaya
Minister of Justice
The Government Complex Rajaburi Direkriddhi Bldg, Fl.9
Chaeng Wattana Road
Thoongsonghong, Laksi
Bangkok 10210
THAILAND
Tel: +662 141 6424 ext.5
Fax: +662 143 9880
5. Pol.Col.Paisit Wongmuang
Director of Department Special of Investigation
No. 128 Moo 3,
Chaeng Wattana Road, Laksi
Bangkok 10210
Tel: +662 831 9888 ext. 1135
Fax: +662 975 9801
6. Lt. Gen. Wiwat Pathompak
The Army Area Commander Region 4 and Director of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 (ISOC 4)
Sirinthon Army Camp
Khoatum sub-district Yarang district
Pattani Province 94160
THAILAND
Tel: +667 326 2668 Email: isoc4hr@gmail.com
7. Major General Manee Juntip
The Military District Commanding Officer of Pattani
The Ingkhayuthboraihan Military Camp
Boothong sub-district, Nongjik district
Pattanit province
THAILAND 94170
Tel: +667 334 0140
Fax: +667 334 0140
Email: pattaniarmy@gmail.com
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
