OHCHR voices concern over lack of progress in finding missing Karen activist Billy

In a statement yesterday, the OHCHR said that according to reliable sources, an investigation showed that Billy had never been released after being arrested by national park officials for the illegal possession of wild honey. This is in conflict to the former Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Chaiwat Limlikhit-aksorn’s claim that the activist had only been detained for a short period.
Earlier, Phetchaburi province’s deputy chief Pol Colonel Traiwitch Namthongthai said CCTV footage showed that Billy had not been released on the day he was arrested and that two student trainees who were witnesses had retracted their testimony.
OHCHR called on the government to encourage transparency in the investigation of this case and set up measures to protect witnesses from intimidation and revenge. Billy’s family and the United Nations should be informed of the latest progress into the investigation as well, it said.

Lack of evidence
The statement added that the information provided by the government was not sufficient enough to determine Billy’s fate, which is why the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances is still monitoring the issue closely.
OHCHR claimed that Billy’s disappearance could be a threat to other human rights activists as well, and that it was the government’s duty to provide protection so activists can carry out their missions safely.
Surapong Kongchantuk from the Lawyers Council of Thailand said Billy’s case would proceed to the Supreme Court by the end of this month at the earliest.
“The lawsuit in the Appeals Court against Chaiwat and another three forest rangers was unsuccessful due to lack of evidence that the park still held Billy in custody.
“However, a team of lawyers is currently preparing to take the lawsuit to the Supreme Court,” Surapong said.
He said the new Torture and Enforced Disappearance Protection Bill, which has already passed the first reading and is with the Justice Ministry, could benefit Billy’s case. He added that Billy’s family still hopes that he is alive and will be released soon.