NGO appeals for funds to ensure justice
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The Migrant Worker Rights Network (MWRN) is appealing to the public for funds to ensure legal assistance gets to Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, the two workers from Myanmar standing trial on the charge of murdering two British backpackers on Surat Thani province'
The non-governmental organisation has launched www.indiegogo.com/projects/Justice-Koh-Tao-Murder-Case for donations and has submitted a petition to Thai authorities including the Justice Ministry for protection of the migrant workers’ rights.
The MWRN claimed that its own investigation into the alleged attack found that the two men’s rights to justice had been violated, so it would provide support for the two, who have been held at Samui Prison since October.
The Samui Provincial Court this month ordered public prosecutors to submit key evidence including DNA samples to the Central Institute of Forensic Science for verification, in response to a motion from defence lawyers.
After the brutal homicides that hit headlines worldwide, the pair were arrested last October. They soon admitted to the crimes but later claimed they had been tortured into confessing.
The first of the 18 hearings set for this case is scheduled for July 8. Representatives from the British Embassy and relatives of the victims will likely observe it.
