The NHRCT concerns over the case of Wanchalerm disappearance - Coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find facts and suggesting the government to speed up legislation to prevent torture and enforced disappearance to safeguard the protection of people's rights
                Mr. What Tingsamitr, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT), revealed about the news appeared in the media and various statements of concerning parties, claiming that, on 4 June 2020, Mr. Wanchalerm or "Tar" Satsaksit, a Thai political activist residing in the Kingdom of Cambodia was abducted into a vehicle by a group of people while shopping in front of his apartment in Phnom Penh and it is not clear what the facts are.  However,  the  case  is  a  matter  of  public  interest  and  various  organizations  have campaigned for justice, and also called on the NHRCT to protect and promote human rights in the said case.
                The Chairperson  added  that aside  from  the  case  of  Mr.  Wanchalerm, there are several  other  cases  with  the  claims  that  Thai  political  activists  living  abroad  are  forced  to disappear, including: 1) the case of Mr. Surachai Danwattananusorn, and the other two persons i.e.  Mr.  Chatcharn  Buppawan  and  Mr.  Kraidej  Luelert,  who  were  disappeared  from  their residence in the Lao People's Democratic Republic; 2) the case of Mr. Siam Theerawut, and the other two persons i.e. Mr. Chucheep Chiwasut and Mr. Kritsana Thapthai, who claimed to be  arrested  in  the  Socialist  Republic  of  Vietnam  and  sent  back  to  Thailand  but  their whereabouts  is  unknown;  however,  the  Crime  Suppression  Division  confirmed  that  neither the  police  officers  nor  other  officers  have  yet  arrested  Mr.  Siam  and  brought  him  to  the investigative  officers.  Moreover,  the  Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs  coordinated  with  relevant departments of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and was internally informed that there was no record of Mr. Siam and the other two entering into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In this regard, the NHRCT has rendered recommendations to relevant organizations.
                Mr. What emphasized that the case of Wanchalerm disappearance is indeed related to  the  rights  and  freedoms  of  Thai  people  in  foreign  countries.  However, the  alleged  case  took place  outside  the  Kingdom  of  Thailand,  thus  it  is  not  legally  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the NHRCT to carry out an examination. It should be undertaken by the government agency with direct duty and authority. Therefore, the NHRCT is requesting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consider assigning its agency to search for facts, information, or evidence to reveal the truth and make it known to the public. In doing so, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may  consider coordinating with Mr. Wanchalerm's family to submit all information or evidence showing that there has been an enforced disappearance for further actions.
                "In  the  past,  the  NHRCT  recommended  the  government  to  enact  the  law  on  the prevention  and  suppression  of  torture  and  enforced  disappearance  in  compliance  with  the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) to which Thailand is a party and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons  from  Enforced  Disappearance  (ICPPED),  which  Thailand  has  already  signed  to expedite the ratification of the ICPPED. This is to provide guarantee for the protection of the rights  of  people  under  the  Constitution  of  the  Kingdom  of  Thailand  and  the  international human rights obligations," the Chairperson concluded. 

Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
 

12/06/2020