Mar 11, 2011 | Agendas
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)
Dec 1, 2010 | Events
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)
Jul 9, 2010 | News
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)
Apr 14, 2010 | News
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)
Mar 15, 2010 | Feature articles, News
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.
