NHRC official fails to visit grenade attack suspects
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THE NATIONAL Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday was barred from visiting bomb suspects in prison who claimed they had been tortured while in Army custody. The alleged victims had been charged with launching a hand-grenade attack in front of the Crim
“I came here as a state official, not as an NGO,” said NHRC member Niran Pitakwatchara, adding he was not given permission by an official at the Bangkok Remand Prison.
Niran said last Friday he had made a request to the Corrections Department, asking for a visit. On arrival yesterday at the Bangkok Remand Prison, Niran found his request was still awaiting the approval of the director-general of the Corrections Department.
He went on to claim that the Department had spent almost four days examining the request, but had still failed to give an answer to the NHRC.
“This has never happened before,” said Niran, adding that such a visit can normally be done without permission of the department – to ensure an officer does not set the scene in advance and mislead the NHRC as to the real situation.
Niran added that it was a universal practice that the NHRC in every country should be allowed to gain access to victims to prevent the violation of human rights.
“This time, it is extremely urgent as the visit has been requested by United Nations [also] and other human rights organisations worldwide,” argued Niran.
He added that this visit was undertaken with the aim of ensuring transparency and the openness of state agencies.
“This visit is in line with the principles that we have adopted,” he said, referring to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
