On April 3, 2001 Montha Kuan (age 27) and Sai Kuan (35, mother of four children under the age of 18) were sentenced to death on drug charges in Thai courts. Despite concerns over the conduct of the arrest and prosecution, the appeals process for the Cambodian sisters has now been exhausted. LICADHO, Amnesty International, Forum Asia, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Human Rights in Cambodia and others in the human rights community have petitioned His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, to commute the death sentences to prison terms. This is the last available option for the Kuan sisters, who could be executed by lethal injection before the end of the year without the intervention of the King.

There is great concern that by delaying action on behalf of the Kuan sisters, they will lose their last chance for a commuted sentence. In addition, fears of hostility between neighboring countries over this sensitive issue further impel concerned parties to request alternative sentencing in this case.

While LICADHO expresses deepest sympathy for the victims of drug-related crimes, and respects the need to take strong action against these serious offenses, the most fundamental human right of all people is the right to life. LICADHO urges all concerned for the life of the Kuan sisters to petition His Majesty the King of Thailand. Letters should be sent via the Thai Department of Corrections at the address below. A sample petition letter is also provided.

His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej
The Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary
The Grand Palace,
Thanon Na Phra Lan,
Bangkok 10200

Department of Corrections
Permanent Secretary
Mr. Nathee Jitsawang
Nonthaburi 1 Rd, Nonthaburi Province, 11000
Thailand

Your Majesty,

In highest respect and in great humility we request Your Majesty to consider the case of Ms. Montha Kuan and Ms. Sai Kuan, and to use the powers associated with Your Majesty’s high office to grant them pardon and save them from capital punishment.

The two are citizens of Cambodia who were arrested in Thailand on 7 October 1997. The Supreme Court decided on 13 August 2004 to uphold death penalty sentences meted out by the lower courts following convictions for drug-related offenses.

We would like to express our sympathies for the victims of drug-related crime and recognize the need to take measures against serious wrongdoings, however this cannot justify the execution of Ms Montha Kuan and Ms Sai Kuan. Both women are first time offenders and mothers - Ms. Sai Kuan has four children, aged 17, 14, 12 and 10 years old.

Therefore, we would urge Your Majesty to consider giving your pardon to Ms. Montha Kuan and Ms. Sai Kuan.

In all humility we hope that Your Majesty will consider our concern. In closing we wish to reassure Your Majesty of our highest regard and utmost respect.

Yours sincerely ,

____________________
(your names here)