Geneva, Thailand must disclose the fate and whereabouts of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, who was forcibly disappeared 20 years ago, said UN experts today. They urged the Thai authorities to fulfill their international obligations by investigating this crime and holding those responsible for Somchai’s disappearance accountable.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Somchai Neelapaijit, a prominent human rights defender and a senior member of two lawyers’ associations in Thailand, was allegedly abducted on March 12, 2004. His disappearance is believed to be connected to his advocacy work on behalf of Muslim minorities in southern Thailand, yet no one has been held accountable for his disappearance. The experts highlighted the case as a stark example of the devastating impact of enforced disappearances on the victims’ families, violating their fundamental rights to truth and justice.
Mr. Somchai’s wife, Ms. Angkhana Neelapaijit, and their five children have faced continuous suffering due to the uncertainty surrounding his fate and whereabouts. Despite her lack of experience in law, Ms. Angkhana has become a prominent human rights defender, seeking truth and justice for her husband and others affected by enforced disappearances. Her efforts have faced numerous threats and reprisals, yet she remains undeterred. In 2022, Ms. Angkhana became the first Asian woman to join the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, marking a significant moment for the global community of those affected by such crimes.
The UN experts emphasized the urgent need for truth, justice, and reparation in Mr. Somchai Neelapaijit’s case, insisting that these goals are attainable and must be achieved without further delay.