Access to justice for deaf persons in Thailand : focus on filing a criminal complaint with inquiry officers

• Main Author: Rungrapeephan Ujawartee
• Other Authors: Sunee Kanyajit
• Language: English
• Published: Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center 2023
• Subjects: Deaf; Justice, Administration of > Thailand
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/89797
• Institution: Mahidol University

The aim of this qualitative research were to (1) examine experience, obstacle and problems on deaf persons in terms of access to criminal justice process, in particular prosecution informed the inquiry level, (2) survey opinions and needs of deaf persons, opinions and suggestions from guardian, inquiry officer, and expert or scholar who had direct experience and knowledge with deaf persons and criminal justice, and (3) present effective ways and mechanisms to aid deaf persons on access to criminal justice in Thailand in accordance with requirement of deaf persons. The research used purposive sampling and in-depth interview was conducted to twenty participants who were 5 deaf persons, 5 guardians, 5 inquiry officers, and 5 experts or scholars. It was found that obstacles and problems for deaf persons in filing criminal complaints with inquiry officers were (1) communication, (2) absence of sign language interpreter to assist communication, (3) unawareness of deaf person in their own legal rights, (4) lack of knowledge of sign language interpreter in law and justice process, (5) inadequate number of sign language interpreter for services, (6) unfamiliarity of police officers with languages and cultures of deaf person, (7) insufficient ability and comprehension of police officer regarding sign language, and (8) absence of expert or sign language interpreter in police stations. The finally recommendations for assistance on access to justice for deaf persons in Thailand are put forward; (1) sign language interpreter or TTRS shall be provided in police stations, (2) inquiry officer shall take training program of basic sign language, (3) priority lane shall be established for deaf persons, (4) a handbook for deaf persons shall be prepared for inquiry officers during prosecution, (5) deaf persons shall be provided with technology such as television and social media for education of law and justice process, (6) the Royal Thai Police shall contribute and appoint an expert interpreter of sign language, (7) it shall provide priority lanes in legal consultant and justice process for deaf persons, (8) video recording shall be conducted in inquiry stage, (9) female inquiry officer and sign language interpreter shall be involved during the investigation of sexual offences