The Court of Appeal overturned the conviction of Pol. Maj. Ngern Thongsuk due to insufficient evidence in the case of enforced disappearance and presumed murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit (photo).
The ICJ welcomes the Royal Thai Government’s decision to revoke the state of emergency in five provinces but calls for more.
While the ICJ understands that Thailand currently faces complex security challenges, the ICJ calls upon Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Royal Thai Government to revoke immediately the declaration of the State of Emergency in Bangkok and in the 18 other provinces where it has been in place since May 2010.
On 6 July 2010, the Prime Minister of Thailand, with the approval of Cabinet, declared the extension of a Severe State of Emergency in the areas of Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathumthani, Ayutthaya, Conburi, Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Lampang, Kon-Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiphum, Nakornrajsrima, Ubonrajthani, Nhongbualampoo, Mahasarakram, Roied, Sakonnakorn and Mukdaharn Provinces. The Severe State of Emergency was lifted in Kalasin, Nakhon Prathom, Nakhon Sawan, Nan and Si Sa Ket Provinces.
Thailand-emergency decree revoked-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Thailand-emergency decree revoked-press release-2010 (full text in Thai, PDF)
The ICJ expresses deep concern and regrets the violence and associated loss of life in Bangkok on the evening of 10 April 2010.
We send our deepest condolences to the families of all those who were killed during these events, and urge all parties and individuals to pursue peaceful solutions to the current political conflict. The ICJ believes that peaceful reconciliation will be best served if all those involved respect the rule of law and comply with international standards, especially those relating to the use of force, full and transparent investigations into alleged human rights violations, and protection of fundamental rights including freedom of expression. In this public statement the ICJ highlights the content of these long-standing and widely accepted international standards.
Thailand-ICJ concern violence-press release-2010 (full text in English, PDF)
Lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit began his career as a lawyer in 1977. Khun Somchai was known for speaking out against unjust practices by the police and advocating for reform of the justice system. He disappeared in 2004.
A new ICJ report released today warns that the the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Thailand risks undermining the rule of law by conferring broad preventative powers to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).
What prisoners say or “confess” to under torture should never be admissible in any court proceedings, said the ICJ and other Human Rights groups.
Cambodia-torture-web story-2009 (full text, PDF)
Cambodia-torture-position paper-2009 (full text, PDF)
The International Commission of Jurists Welcomes Our New Commissioners
Lebanon: Ensure draft media law upholds free expression
Nepal: Protesters Demand Integrity, Rights, Rule of Law
India: Joint statement urging Indian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender and student activist Umar Khalid