This was the picture I showed to Zaw Linn and Win Zaw Htun at Samui prison today of their parents. Thanks to DVB copyright! The guys proudly pointed out who their parents were on the picture with smiles. With visas already granted to their parents today by the Thai Embassy in Yangon, soon the guys will get to meet their parents in person at the prison.
Once again, on behalf of Migrant Worker Rights Network (MWRN), want to thank prison officials and corrections dept for allowing this visit.
The guys well aware of international interest in their case and wanted to thank everyone who supporting them, but didn’t have other comments
They guys both seemed in good health, did not appear stressed or worried about anything. Said some difficulty with wearing chains on feet.
The 2 guys reported they deeply miss their parents and we showed them the photos of their parents with passports and they were happy
Finished humanitarian visit to Zaw Linn/Win Zaw Tun, accused Koh Tao case, at Samui prison. Officials organised room, unlimited time to chat.
Arrived Samui prison and granted permission to visit 2 accused Koh Tao murder case. Thanks to authorities for their cooperation our mission. CR ANDY HALL
Therefore in a situation such as this if the accusation by the Burmese civil society members stand true then Thailand may well be violating several international legal conventions, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Human Rights Committee states that “fundamental principles of fair trial” may never be derogated from. by denying a fair trial to the accused and also to the victims. Thailand is certainly a party to many of these conventions, especially those endorsed by the United Nations and an irresponsible handling of the case by the Royal Thai police and also the failure of the Thai diplomacy to resolve the issue with its Burmese counterpart may lead to the escalation of the controversy and the reaction to it may be much larger leading to international shame for the pristine South East Asian nation
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s first overseas trip since seizing power on May 22 was greeted with a protest in Yangon this morning over the controversial arrest of two 21-year-old migrant workers from Myanmar for the murder of two British tourists in Thailand last month. Nay Myo Zin, a former military captain who runs the Yangon-based Myanmar Social Development Network, said yesterday that protesters would gather between 8am and 9am at Maha Bandoola Park to call for an independent investigation into the charges against the two 21-year-old Myanmar migrant workers: Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun.
“I urge every Myanmar citizen who loves the truth to participate in the demonstration,” he told Daily Eleven yesterday.
“I will call for an independent investigation into the case against the two Myanmar suspects who have been accused without concrete evidence,” he said, adding that flaws in the police investigation had already been pointed out in Thailand.
The pair has been described as “scapegoats” for the grisly murders and rape on Koh Tao (Turtle Island) in Thailand’s Surat Thani province on September 15. The crime cast an unseemly light on Thailand’s carefully constructed image as a safe and friendly destination for tourists, while the arrest of migrant workers raised concern among rights groups who said it fit a common pattern in Thailand of blaming migrants for crimes.
Nay Myo Zin said the initial location for the demonstration was in front of the Thai embassy, but protest organisers were denied permission to protest there.
Prayut, the general who led the coup against Thailand’s elected government, is making his first overseas visit since resigning from the military to become prime minister. He is expected to discuss the high-profile murder case with President Thein Sein when they meet in Nay Pyi Taw. Prayut is also scheduled to meet executives of Thai businesses in Yangon.
Representatives of the Myanmar Embassy met the suspects earlier this week as well as a witness against them, Maung Maung, who said he knew nothing about the case and was included as a witness for the prosecution only because police found the trousers of one of the suspects in his room.
Both suspects have recanted their confessions, saying they had been tortured into making them. Thai prosecutors, meanwhile, have sent the reportedly more than 800-page case file back to police, saying it lacked “critical information”, while the country’s top forensic expert has also questioned the investigation. Porntip Rojanasunan, head of Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science, told Thai media that the way police handled the case “contradicted the principles of forensic science”.
Prayut and Thein Sein are also expected to discuss energy, border security, the cross border narcotics trade and the Dawei special economic zone. While the two governments attempt to restart the stalled SEZ, civil society groups in the area are joining forces to call for greater transparency, more involvement with local communities, environmental safeguards and a ban on chemical and coal-fired plants at the SEZ.
Prayut has faced little public protest in Thailand since seizing power, after which he curtailed press freedom and clamped down on dissent. His visit to Myanmar is occurring as the country is undergoing a transition from military rule to democracy.
!!!!!! Koh Tao murder case official translator reveals all confidential information on channel 3 TV now-Appalled Ch3 decision to release this interview with alleged Rohingya Koh Tao case translator. Dangerous, unethical, ethnically insensitive.-Ch 3 presenter finished interview piece saying plain clothed police officer was monitoring interview! So police knew? consented? arranged? CR. ANDY Our team request all incl. translator NHRC relatives media to cease sharing Koh Tao accused confidential comments as can -ve impact defense
Both Koh Tao accused migrants have already now appointed personal Thai lawyers ทางผู้ต้องหาเกาะเต่าทั้งสองคนได้แต่งตั้งทนายส่วนตัวคนไทยแล้ว
Expressing deep concern at this stage with the ongoing public announcements by individuals gaining access to the accused on guilty or innocent status of 2 Koh Tao murder case accused migrants. Voluntary and consensual confidential Thai lawyer and Myanmar accused client relationship now crucial to ensuring the accused can access a fair trial in this publicly debated case. In most normal cases (of which now this clearly is not), trained criminal lawyers would now surely be advising their clients to stay silent. Public suspicion will go on but lawyers need space to work. Guilt/innocence in Koh Tao case will crucially be decided eventually by the courts based on all facts and testimony presented to them and not by police, prosecutors or the general public. Capable and skilled lawyers must now crucially be given time and space to focus on confidential case defense preparation with the accused, having competent and reliable translation assistance at all times, if the accused are to be assured a fair trial. The accused must crucially be supported to make consensual and informed decisions about their lawyers, defence strategy and the nature of public statements made on their case as much as is possible.
QUESTION ?
I am confused. Who is taking care of them to participate in that legal process wisely??If they are not advised..Which legal team? Is it paid?..
Andy Hall : You ask the very important question Htwe Than, defending these guys properly is not about media statements but about skilled criminal Thai lawyers. This is Thai court system needing practicing skilled and independent thai lawyers
It’s important the 2 Koh Tao migrant murder suspects receive a fair trial, have access to independent/skilled defense lawyers and are provided with trusted and quality translators. This is important whatever they may have or may have not done. Working with a multi-disciplinary team we will all seek to contribute to a process whereby justice is done and seen to be done in Koh Tao murder case by working to ensure the accused receive a fair trial. Whilst we cant respond all emails and offers of assistance, if you or your colleagues think you can assist us to achieve our goals in ensuring justice is done and seen to be done in this case, please do contact my gmail account username andyjhall1979
democracy for burma 
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