To honour the disappeared: Somchai Neelapaijit

Many of us know the loss of a parent to death. So much history, knowledge and experience is lost to us forever.

Three years ago, in 2004, a respected, honest Muslim human rights lawyer, Somchai Neelapaijit was disappeared. He represented Southern Muslim clients who accused the police of murder. Somchai is not the only disappeared, not the only silenced voice. But Somchai’s abduction has focussed the Thai and international human rights, peace and justice movements.

Thai society is today the victim of a culture of impunity which allows civil servants and government agencies to act outside the law. Thai censorship is illegal and serves to silence voices of question and dissent.

The impunity of government to silence voices of Thai people has resulted in torture, forced confession, disappearance and extrajudicial murder, the ultimate censorship.

Government has deliberately failed to investigate the violations of that most basic of all human rights, the right to life. Government has created a climate of fear in which people are afraid to speak out, to become witnesses for the truth. Who, then, are the real terrorists?

Silencing the South through intimidation and murder frustrates a simple dream of Thai people: self-determination and recognition of their identity. Violence is always the ultimate result of silencing a people’s voice.

Somchai Neelapaijit has become a symbol for justice and his wife, Angkhana, and daughter, Pratabjit, have become tireless human rights advocates. Our thanks and strength to them.

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[AFTERWORD. After this article was written, Acting Police Chief, Pol. Gen. Seripisuth Themiyavet, was quoted in Manager Online that “Angkhana should be taught to ‘shut up’ about the case of her husband”.In addition, after he was promoted in February, Pol. Gen. Seripisuth appointed Pol. Gen. Sombat Amornvivat as one of his deputies. Pol. Gen. Sombat is the former director of the Department of Special Investigation under whose personal authority Somchai’s case languished for at least one year. He is alleged to have actively obstructed the case, and was dismissed from his office after the military coup of September 19 for poor performance, and transferred to an inactive post in the justice ministry.

This direct threat from a police general to a wife, mother, activist and National Legislative Assembly member must NOT be permitted by government. Either Seripisuth issues a formal apology to Angkhana and dismisses deputy Sombat, or he must be relieved of his duties.

FACT thinks this brazen abuse of power is shocking and unacceptable. We the people will no longer tolerate this kind of behaviour from government. Shame on you, Seripisuth!]

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More news on activities to honour Somchai Neelapaijit can be found on Somchai Award Fund website.