Thai Working Group Receives Justice Minister’s Support

The disappearance of Thai lawyer and Muslim rights activist Somchai Neelahphaijit will be given high priority, the Thai Minister of Justice Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya assured the Thai Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, in a meeting on August 17.

Human rights lawyer and former Chair of the Muslim Law Professionals' Association Somchai disappeared on March 12 from Bangkok. Before his disappearance, he represented the five men accused of involvement in an attack on an army base as well as those arrested for suspected links to the terror group Jemaah Islamiyah.

Referring to other reports of human rights violations in the south of Thailand, the minister assured the working group that the government is attending to this concern with full and sincere efforts. While the Ministry of Justice is currently focused on the problems of drugs and international crime, the protection of human rights and the strengthening of grassroots and non-government organizations are also priorities of the Thai government. The minister expressed his support of the Thai Working Group and asked the group to submit a proposal of cooperation, including possibilities for financial support.