UN calls for closure of Thai military prison
Statement highlights suspicious deaths, rights abuses at Bangkok military prison used for suspects in high-profile cases
By Max Constant
BANGKOK
The United Nations called on Thai authorities Tuesday to close down a military prison where two civilian suspects recently died under suspicious circumstances.
Matilda Bogner, Southeast Asia representative for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), issued a statement condemning the use of military facilities to hold civilian detainees.
“The use of military barracks as a detention facility is prone to human rights violations and torture," she said.
Bogner also asked the Thai government “to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial inquiry into the two deaths in custody”, saying that the investigation results “should be made public”.
Three suspects in a high profile lese-majeste case were detained in the compound on Oct. 18 at the 11th Army Circle in Bangkok.
One of them, Police Maj. Prakrom Warunprapa, was found hanged in his cell by his shirt on Oct. 23.
A second suspect, well-known fortune teller Suriyan Sucharitpolwong, died in the jail of blood poisoning on Nov. 7.
In both cases, there were no independent forensic examinations, no investigation, and the bodies were hurriedly cremated.
Jirawong Watthanathewasilp, the third suspect in the case, remains in the jail.
“An independent and impartial investigation would clarify the circumstances of the deaths [of Warunprapa and Sucharitpolwong], ensure accountability and help prevent further similar incidents”, the statement continued.
Bilal Mohammad and Yusuf Mieraili -- two suspects in the Aug. 17 Bangkok bombing which killed 20 people and injured over 130 others -- are also held at the jail.
They were charged Tuesday with premeditated murder and possession of explosives by a military court.
Bogner also stated that the rights of detainees at the military prison had been curtailed.
“It was reported that a lawyer representing one of the suspects in the Bangkok bombing case was not allowed to meet with his client in a confidential manner, and that his questions were screened beforehand”, she said.
“International law guarantees due process rights for detainees, including prompt, confidential and regular access to lawyers."
Only one person detained at the jail, Mohammad, has access to a lawyer.
The two dead suspects had no access to a lawyer between the time of their arrest and their deaths.
