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UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME Update on Urgent Appeal 21 April 2005 [RE: FA-06-2004: THAILAND: A human rights lawyer Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit missing; UA-94-2004: Severe torture victims still in custody while police torturers remain in posts; UP-14-2004: Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit is still missing and the police may be involved in his disappearance; UP-26-2004: 5 suspects in the alleged abduction of missing human rights lawyer Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit bailed out; UP-20-2005: Human rights lawyer still missing after nearly one year; Action needed today to have case transferred; UP-24-2005: 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 THAILAND: Disappearances; Attacks on and threats to human rights defenders; Impunity; Government inaction; Torture ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear friends, We are pleased to inform you that the wife of abducted Thai human rights lawyer Mr Somchai Neelaphaijit, who had been threatened by suspected government intelligence agents (UP-45-2005), has been guaranteed protection by the concerned authorities. Yesterday, April 20, the director of the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection ordered his staff to visit Ms Angkana Neelaphaijit today, April 21, and ensure that she and her family is given protection under witness protection legislation. The officials are visiting together with some sympathetic journalists. It is hoped that these efforts from the Thai authorities will discourage security agents linked to the case from further intimidating the family. However, the Asian Human Rights Commission remains concerned about the safety of Ms Angkana and her children, and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Additionally, it still hopes that the justice minister will speak out on the matter and send a strong message that threats of this nature will not be tolerated. We will keep you informed through further updates. For all information and background comments and links to other resources on the case, please visit the earlier update (UP-45-2005). Thank you. Urgent Appeals Desk Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
Posted on 2005-04-21
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