Justice for Chaiyapoom

Finally, the government has agreed to set up a probe into the extrajudicial killing of a Lahu activist who was gunned down by a soldier in Chiang Mai last week. An army spokesman pledged to clear up the case and ensure justice is served. Yesterday, a panel was formed under the 3rd Region Army to investigate the case. But that is not good enough.

The untimely death of 17-year-old outspoken activist Chaiyapoom Pasae in Chiang Mai’s Chiang Dao district on Friday has sparked a public outcry. The case has raised suspicions that the truth may not yet have come to light and many rights advocates, including Amnesty International, have stepped up their calls for a fair and transparent investigation. In particular, the Cross Cultural Foundation rightly urged the army and authorities to remain neutral and respect the judicial process.

According the army’s report, Chaiyapoom and his classmate were travelling in a car when they were stopped at a checkpoint where the authorities were searching for narcotics. The authorities claimed Chaiyapoom produced a knife and then ran away. The report said a soldier, whose name was withheld, shot the activist as he threatened to throw a grenade and the authorities said they found 2,800 methamphetamine pills in the car.

But the case reminds many of the series of extrajudicial killings that were widespread in the early 2000s when the then government staged a war on drugs. Many of those killed were later found to be innocent.

As the report came out, those who knew Chaiyapoom shook their heads in disbelief. Several shared on social media the story of the dead activist and his volunteerism and what he did for society. Needless to say, they were disappointed with the initial stance of the authorities, including senior government officials after the shocking incident — and they have every right to be. In particular, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and some cabinet ministers appeared to defend the shooter, saying that he acted in “self-defence”.

Such a stance has created the impression that Chaiyapoom may not get the justice he deserves as the shooter was a soldier and it is his bosses who will look into the investigation. There are concerns the probe may be interfered with, or that witnesses may face threats and intimidation.

It is still unclear whether the army planned to conduct an investigation or was pressured to do so because of intensifying suspicions. But it is clear there is little trust in the machinery of the state. Many suspect the government issued the order to launch an investigation as a way of appeasing angry critics, at least until the case fades from public attention like several violent cases involving state officials before Chaiyapoom’s death.

At this stage, it is the duty of the government to ensure the investigation is fair and transparent and that there is no cover-up in this tragic case. This is the only way that public trust in the way the state handles such matters will be restored.

One possibility to guarantee fairness and transparency in the case is to allow representatives from independent agencies to take part in the investigation. However, if bureaucratic or army regulations do not allow for the role of outsiders, or neutral bodies, then those involved in the case must give their full cooperation to agencies such as the National Commission for Human Rights, which yesterday also formed a working group to look into the case.

Above all, those involved in Chaiyapoom’s tragic death must be held to account.

It is the duty of the government to ensure the investigation is fair and transparent and that there is no cover-up in this tragic case.