Small update –

Da Torpedo’s appeal is still ongoing and it has now been referred to the Constitutional Court for a final decision. They are expected to pass down their decision on October 17th 2011. It must also be said that in usual circumstances a prisoner undergoing such an appeal process would be freed on bail. In Da’s case this has not happened and she is still detained. She has clearly be singled out for unusual and selective punishment.

It is now three years to the day since one of Thailand’s most famous prisoners of conscience Daranee Chanchoengsilpakul aka Da Torpedo was imprisoned after she was convicted at a secret, closed trial held in Bangkok (this aspect of Da’s case has formed the basis of her appeal).

Back in March I blogged the first part of an article about Da’s plight and the ongoing and shocking avoidance of her case by Amnesty International (apologies for delay in posting part two – the story was moving all over the place at that time and it was strongly rumoured Da’s release was imminent). I later revealed that when Amnesty’s Thailand-based researcher, Ben Zawacki, decided on Da’s prisoner of conscience status he sought advice from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, something both he and Amnesty have never fully explained.

In late February I met Da’s brother Kittichai outside the gates of Bangkok’s Women’s Central Prison in Bangkok. He told me of the conditions Da was kept in and discussed her painful ongoing medical condition – a jaw infection. Our aim was for me and my translator to try and get in and meet her.

After passing through all the usual paper work the three of us sat together in the waiting room, hoping our mission would prove successful.

Thai activist Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul. When will Amnesty speak out? Pic: AP.

Unfortunately I was refused entry and, at first, so was my translator. After loudly arguing with the prison guards for 10 minutes they agreed to let the translator enter. This gave me enough time to scribble down a few questions. It also later transpired that the reason I was refused entry was that Da was told that if she signed the necessary document to allow me to gain entry (the reason my entry was refused was – “She doesn’t know you so didn’t sign the visitor permission”) she wouldn’t be allowed any visitors that day and that further ‘problems’ might occur.

Here, is a rough translation of the very brief interview (the translator also felt pressured by prison guards inside the prison) – at some points Da spoke Chinese (not sure whether it was Mandarin or Cantonese) with her brother as she was concerned about the prison guards listening in to the conversation. I’ve also taken out a couple of lengthy responses to questions regarding her legal situation at the time when there was a possibility she might be freed. Obviously this never occurred and the discussion on that matter is now, sadly, largely irrelevant. One of the key questions she answered was that on the issue of political violence, something which had always been given as the reason why Amnesty would not support her.

How do you feel about the support from international human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch?

I am disappointed and sad as I expected a lot from them.

Do you believe violence is necessary to change Thailand?

Speaking the truth is not “violence”. I don’t believe violence is necessary to change Thailand but civilians have a right to defend themselves.

Do you think Thais will receive freedom of speech in near future?

We shall see.

What are your plans if you are ever released?

If I am released because my case is revoked, I will speak on Red Shirt stage again but if I am released on bail, I will probably not be allowed to speak publicly about politics. I don’t want to seek refuge overseas until the mission has been completed – I will fight along with the Red Shirts.

Will Da suffer another three years in prison? Let’s hope Amnesty have both the courage and the principles to formally campaign for her release and that the incoming Pheu Thai government does the right thing and releases all 112 lese majeste prisoners immediately. If anyone deserves an amnesty, it is them.

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