Thailand: ActionAlert: Burmese woman murdered; cover-up challenged

Off Our Backs, Nov/Dec 2003 by Osborn, Corie, Dalton, Melissa, Ruby, Jennie, Young, Angie

On the night of August 31, 2003, a Burmese migrant worker named Sandar Hlaing was raped and murdered after she left her job in a knitting factory where she worked in Mae Sot, Thailand. Amorn Suwannachote, a security guard at the factory, was seen on the same night waiting outside on his motorbike. He allegedly offered her a ride, and when she declined, pressured her until she accepted. Witnesses reported that Hlaing then left the premises with the guard and two other unknown men. Her body was found the next day, two kilometers from the factory. An autopsy showed broken ribs, evidence of rape, and fatal stab wounds to her neck.

A thousand of Hlaing's fellow factory workers went on strike upon hearing about her death, appealing to police to treat the case with due diligence. Suwannachote was retained in police custody as a result, though he was not charged with anything. He confessed to the murder on September 7, though he denies raping the victim and claims he worked alone. The Asia Human Rights Commission reports that it is rare for a Thai national to confess involvement in a crime concerning a Burmese national.

According to the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), there is widespread fear that Thai police will not investigate and prosecute this case responsibly, thus continuing to condone the rape and murder of Burmese migrant workers in the region.

Factory management has not cooperated with attempts to expedite the case. One witness was allegedly detained by factory security guards for five hours and threatened, refusing to speak of the case upon his return. Hlaing's body was reportedly cremated very quickly, despite the request of NGOs for police to perform a more exhaustive autopsy.

Negligent behavior appears to be routine for Mae Sot police. Last May, when six Burmese migrant workers were murdered, the Thai national charged in the incident was excused on bail.

The OMCT seeks activist intervention for the case. They request that you send respectful letters to the following addresses to request that Hlaing's case receive a thorough and impartial investigation in order for her assailants to be punished appropriately.

* Mr. Chinnawat Thaksin

Prime Minister

Government House

Pitsanulok Road, Dusit District

Bangkok 10300, Thailand

Email: govspkman@mozart.inet.co.th

* Col. Sonkran Sankakorn

District Superintendent

Royal Thai Police

Intharakiri Road, Amphur Muang

Mae Sot,Tak 63110, Thailand

For more information, visit the OMCT web page: www.omct.org