<p>On 21 January 2011 at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok, representatives of all parties involved in the criminal proceedings in the case of the 12 March 2004 forcible disappearance of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit gathered expecting to hear the verdict of the Appeal Court concerning the conviction of one out of the five accused. One Thai and one international observer from the Asian Human Rights Commission joined other observers from Thai nongovernmental organizations, international nongovernmental organizations, and several embassies who monitored the hearing.</p>

<p>(Hong Kong, January 18, 2011) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) will send international and domestic observers to attend the reading of the verdict on January 21 in the appeal case concerning the disappearance and presumed killing of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit, its executive director announced today.</p> <p>&quot;This is an historic case of tremendous importance not only for Thailand but also for the regional human rights movement,&quot; Wong Kai Shing said.</p>

<p><em>Seven years past, yet no progress made, public left at their own devices,&nbsp; culprits are at large </em></p> <p>On December 22, 2010, the spokesperson of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) announced the decision to determine the alleged offences against Pol.Gen. Bhanupong Singhara Na Ayuthaya and other 18 officials, regarding the abuse of power and violation of the rights of alleged offenders in the gun robbery taking place at the Fourth Development Military Battalion, the Krom Luang Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Military Camp on January 4, 2004, the incidence of which has led to the onslaught of violence and conflicts in Thailand&rsquo;s Deep South causing widespread damage and loss of lives among government officials and innocent people. Until now, the death toll has climbed over 4,000.</p>

<p>The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has taken up the investigation of the torture case of Mr Makata Harong, Mr Sukree Maming, Mr Manasae Mama, Mr Suderueman Malae and Mr Abdulloh Abukaree, the last five clients of Mr Somchai Neelaphaijit before his disappearance. The five men were accused of stealing guns from the Pileng Army Camp, Narathiwat province on January 4, 2004 and were charged with 'attempt to kill'. The five men were allegedly severely tortured and threatened by police officers while in detention. A day after Mr.</p>

<p>Friday 24 September 2010, 9.30 am. The Criminal Court is scheduled to read the verdict of Somchai Neelapaijit reached by the Appeal Court.</p> <p><strong>Background</strong></p> <p>After seven months of court hearings into the disappearance of Mr. Somchai from August 2005 onward on the offences regarding coercion and robber, the Bangkok Criminal Court read out the verdict in Black Case no. 1952/2547 and Red Case no. Or 4/2549 on 12 January 2006. In sum, the Court holds that:</p>

<p>Angkhana Neelaphaijit sent an open letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, urging him to work on the case of her husband&rsquo;s disappearance, where no progress has been seen during his one year in office. &nbsp;She also called attention to the disappearance of an important witness and the safety of the witness&rsquo;s family.</p>