Thailand: the Appeals Court verdict in the Somchai Neelapaijit case: was justice delivered?

Thailand: the Appeals Court verdict in the Somchai Neelapaijit case: was justice delivered?

On 11th March 2011, the Court of Appeals rendered a verdict acquitting all five police officers accused of abducting, killing and “disappearing” prominent Muslim lawyer, Somchai Neelapaijit. This decision has important consequences not only for the Somchai case itself, but for broader issues of justice, human rights and rule of law in Thailand. The Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) will be holding a public event to examine key legal and political issues concerning this case, from 12:00 – 15:00 on 17th March at the FCCT. The event will be in Thai and English, with simultaneous translation. It will feature a film of Somchai’s last public speech the night before his enforced disappearance, followed by speakers:

  • Angkhana and Pratabjit Neelapaijit, widow and daughter of Somchai
  • Vitit Muntarborn, Professor, Chulalongkorn University, UN human rights expert
  • Roger Normand, ICJ Asia Pacific Director

Their brief presentations will be followed by an extended question-and-answer session. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Thailand-judgement Somchai Neelapajit case-agenda-2011-eng (full text in English, PDF)

Thailand-judgement Somchai Neelapajit case-agenda-2011-tha (full text in Thai, PDF)

Call for applications: Trial Observation Seminar in Nizhniy Novgorod

Call for applications: Trial Observation Seminar in Nizhniy Novgorod

The ICJ is organizing two-day trial observation training seminars on 14-15 March in Nizhniy Novgorod.

The seminar will aim to provide practical skills on how to conduct trial observations, assess and analyze information and data obtained, and draft a final trial observation report.

The seminar will address general legislative frameworks within which courts operate; the compliance with international rule of law and human rights standards; the components and guarantees of the right to fair trial; observing proceedings within the courtroom and the conduct of meetings with the relevant authorities and other advocacy work outside the courtroom.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in the rule of law and human rights law;
  • Applicants must have an interest in international standards of fair trial;
  • Applicants must demonstrate an interest in observing trials or working on trial observation projects;

Closing date for applications: 15 February 2011.

Application forms can be downloaded below.

For further information please contact Temur Shakirov at temur.shakirov@icj.org

seminar-trialobservation-news-2011 (full text, PDF)

seminar-trialobservation-news-2011-rus (full text in Russian, PDF)

seminar-trialobservation-application-2011 (full text, PDF)

seminar-trialobservation-application-2011-rus (full text in Russian, PDF)

Thailand: Symposium on the Military and the Law: issues of obedience, compliance and enforcement

Thailand: Symposium on the Military and the Law: issues of obedience, compliance and enforcement

The ICJ supports a Symposium organized by the Judge Advocate General’s Department of the Ministry of Defence on “The Military and the Law: Issues of Obedience, Compliance and Enforcement”.

Following the success of a previous ICJ-JAG Symposium on “The Rule of Law and the Military” held in 2008, this event is designed to enhance understanding within the military legal community of the importance of the rule of law and human rights in an enforcement context. The Symposium will be held from 1-3 December 2010 at the Royal River Hotel, Bangkok and will be attended by military legal professionals, members of the judiciary and academia, government officials and civil society representatives.

Objectives:

1. To enhance the knowledge and understanding of military officers in the Judge Advocate General’s Department and other military departments and agencies regarding the national and international legal framework applicable to their activities, in order that they may provide legal opinions to their commanders and agencies, a duty essential to ensuring that the operations of the Ministry of Defence and associated agencies comply with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand and relevant laws.

2. To provide an opportunity for military officers to meet and to exchange opinions with civilian experts, members of civil society and representatives of the media in order to build and strengthen good working relationships.

Co-Hosts:  The Judge Advocate General’s Department, Ministry of Defence of Thailand and The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)

Dates:    3 days, 1-3 December 2010

Location:   Royal River Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand-symposiumagenda-news-2010 (full text, PDF)

Thailand-symposiumagenda-news-2010-tha  (full text in Thai, PDF)

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