Shameful shackling of prisoners in

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Subject: Shameful shackling of prisoners in Thailand.




PRESS RELEASE

THE SHAMEFUL SHACKLING OF PRISONERS IN THAILAND

Thailand is going through a period of democratization. This is quite
manifest in the very lively debate now taking place in Thailand. The very
fact that opponents of reforms have actively entered the debate shows
quite clearly that a truly deep social dis course is on-going. 

In this background it is shameful to allow the type of chaining and
shackling of prisoners that is going on to be allowed to go on any longer.
If you wish to see how cruel and animal like the prisoners are treated
just visit the court complex in Bangkok a nd ask to see the first floor in
which these prisoners are being kept. There you will the a sight so very
rarely seen in Asia now. The prisoners are already in well locked up large
cells and are heavily chained with heavy chains on their legs and handcu
ffs on their hands.  They are further handcuffed to each other. 

Perhaps this type of chaining, shackling, and hand-cuffing is a part of
Thailand's past.. It shows a cultural aspect of a society that could treat
prisoners as non-persons. It does no credit to Thailand as it tries to
emerge as a respected nation in the r egion. Thailand's recent industrial
growth has made it possible to improve the court complexes, the courtrooms
and facilities for judges and lawyers. However these significant
improvements will attract little attention if the quality of justice could
be c riticized on the basis of sheer disregard for norms and standards for
treatment of prisoners. 

An Indian High Court judge who saw the sight of this wretched treatment of
prisoners said that in India if this were discovered, the judge will
immediately take action to change the situation. He sighted several Indian
judgments where judges have interven ed to correct the situation and lay
down rules for the future. Now, prisoners cannot even be handcuffed unless
their is a very special reason, like past attempts to escape or being a
very dangerous prisoner. 

We hope that action will be taken to remedy the cruel and inhuman
treatment meted out to these prisoners. 

Basil Fernando
Executive Director
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)

Write to your letter of concern to the following persons:  
The Minister of
Justice The Minister of Justice Rachadamnern 
Nai Road Pranakorn, Bangkok
10200, Thailand 
Tel: 66-2-2213161-70

The Chief-Justice
Judicial Building
Rajchadapisek Road
Jatujack, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel: 66-2-5412284-91

The Chief of Prisions
Nonthaburi Road
Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
Tel: 66-2-5268739