[RE: FA-06-2004: THAILAND: A human rights lawyer Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit missing… UP-20-2005: THAILAND: Human rights lawyer still missing after nearly one year; Action needed today to have case transferred; UP-24-2005: THAILAND: Thai minister refuses to act on missing human rights lawyer case; UP-37-2005: Thai PM orders action on missing human rights lawyer, while court hears of torture; UP-45-2005: Wife of missing human rights lawyer intimidated; UP-49-2005: THAILAND: Government commits to giving witness protection to missing lawyer’s family; UP-89-2005: THAILAND: Repeated failed commitment to assign Department of Special Investigation to Somchai case; UP-107-2005: THAILAND: Special call for observers to attend September 7, 8 & 9 court hearings over missing human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit]
Dear friends,
The trial of five police officers in connection with the disappearance of prominent Thai human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit is continuing in the Criminal Court in Bangkok on September 20 – 23. The public prosecutor will present more witnesses on these dates, most of them metropolitan police investigators.
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is today making its second special call to all concerned groups and persons in Thailand to attend the trial as observers. Please refer to our first call for observers (UP-107-2005) for an explanation of the case and reasons that observers are very important in the court.
Some important practical information is repeated below.
LOCATION
The Criminal Court is located on Ratchadapisek Road, Ladprao, next to the Courts of Appeal and Civil Court. It is best reached by taxi or private vehicle; however, it is in walking distance of the Ladprao BTS station and buses run past the front of the building. The trial is ordinarily conducted in room 811, or another room on the 8th floor.
KEY PERSONS IN THE COURT
Judge: Mr Suwit Pornpanich and two assistant judges
Accused (seated on the right of the court)
1. Police Major Ngern Tongsuk
2. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sinchai Nimbunkampong
3. Police Lance Corporal Chaiweng Paduang
4. Police Sergeant Rundorn Sithiket
5. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chadchai Leiamsa-ngoun
CHARGES
Coercion & gang robbery under sections 309 & 340 of the Penal Code of Thailand
FORTHCOMING HEARINGS
On September 20 to 23 and October 4 and 5 there will be more witnesses for the public prosecutor. Joint prosecution witnesses and defence witnesses will be heard subsequently. The trial will continue to January.
FURTHER BACKGROUND TO THE CASE
The AHRC has released copious material speaking to the importance of the disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit. Some of the recent appeals and updates include: UP-20-2005, UP-24-2005, UP-37-2005, UP-45-2005, UP-49-2005 and UP-89-2005. A webpage compiling all information on the case will be made available shortly. In July, the sister organization of the AHRC, the Asian Legal Resource Centre, invited the wife of the missing human rights defender to attend the hearings on Thailand of the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva.
For additional information or inquiries regarding the case please contact the Urgent Appeals Desk of the AHRC.
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
