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Article 10

“Suspects should be made aware of

their rights, particularly with regard to

the assumption of being innocent”

Commentary

Mr. Surasee Kosolnavin
Mr. Surasee Kosolnavin was a public prosecutor sometimes there are even instances of
for 30 years before he became a member of coerced confession.
the National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC) and the president of the Sub- Mr. Kosolnavin says, “There are many instances
Committee for Human Trafficking and Human of violation of rights in the justice system, 80
Rights Protection in the justice system. He percent of which have been filed to the
explains that when the police make an arrest, NHRC.” Most of the lawyers appointed to
the accused must be taken to the police represent the suspects are volunteer lawyers
station immediately to start the interrogation or usually receive less remuneration.
process. The interrogator should not be the Mr. Kosolnavin suggests the establishment of
same person who makes the arrest. He adds a public defender position, whose
that the police cannot detain the accused for qualifications and experience are at the same
more than 48 hours. level as that of a public prosecutor.

Mr. Kosolnavin stresses that the main aim of Mr. Kosolnavin explains that sometimes the
the justice system is to identify the truth and public feels that police officers do not see
apply the law. He explains, however, that lack suspects as human beings, despite the fact
of evidence is a major obstacle to filing a that training on the protection of human
lawsuit to accuse a law enforcement officer of rights has been provided. Therefore, human
using torture. Furthermore, the slow rights training for police officers should be
processes of the justice system may result in improved. Officers who arrest suspects
evidence being changed or lost. He adds that should not be the same officers who

Our Voices are Heard in Thailand 49