“Nobel Prize in Asia” Magsaysay Award for Thai human rights activists, September 9 18:52

An award ceremony for the Magsaysay Award, also known as the “Nobel Prize in Asia,” was held in the Philippines, and five awards were given to Thai women's human rights activists working to eradicate unjust abduction by the state, the so-called “forced disappearance”. It was

The Magsaysay Award sponsored by the Philippine Foundation is given to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the peace and development of Asia every year, and is also called the “Nobel Prize in Asia”.

A total of five people, including human rights activists and journalists from Thailand and Myanmar, were selected, and the award ceremony was held on the 9th in the capital, Manila.

Among them, Ankana Nielapaige (63) of Thailand was missing after a lawyer husband who was working on the human rights issue of Muslims living in southern Thailand was detained by the authorities in 2004. As a result, we have continued activities aimed at eliminating unjust abductions and restraints by the state.

It is called `` forced disappearance '' that the state unfairly abducts individuals and is banned by a UN treaty, but Neira Paiget's persistent activities brought fruit, and the Thai government in 2012 The signing of the treaty was appreciated.

In addition, journalists such as Swe Win (41), who set up Internet media in Myanmar and continue to report on domestic human rights issues, were selected.

Forced disappearance More than 50,000 cases in the past

“Forced disappearance” is the concealment of a person by an abductor or detention of an individual or a person or group that has received support or permission from the state.

The United Nations bans it as a “crime against humanity” under international law, based on the “Forced Disappearance Treaty” that came into force in 2010. Looking for.

62 countries have ratified so far, and Japan has ratified the North Korean abduction issue.

According to a report released in July by the UN working group, there are over 57,800 cases of forced disappearances that have occurred since 1980.

The report last year also covered the case of journalist Jamal Kashoghi being killed at the Saudi Consulate General in Turkey, saying, “Not only the home country but also outside the country, authorities have been abducted and detained. Pointed out. "

This time, Neela Paiget, the winner of the Magsaysay Award, was found in the dead body of a minority ethnic Karen human rights activist who was detained by the authorities five years ago on this month in Thailand. The case of forced disappearance, such as becoming clear, will not end.