The Observatory has been informed about the arbitrary detention and ongoing judicial harassment of Ms. Benja Apan, a student and pro-democracy activist with the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) [1], on lèse-majesté charges in relation with the August 10, 2021 pro-democracy protest. On October 7, 2021, Benja Apan was arrested at the Lumpini Police Station, […]
(Bangkok, Paris) A new wave of arrests, detentions, and prosecutions for royal defamation could result in several pro-democracy activists receiving prison sentences ranging between 120 and 300 years, a new report released today by FIDH, Thai Lawyer for Human Rights (TLHR), and Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) warns. The report, titled “Second wave: The return […]
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Thailand. The Observatory has been informed about the arbitrary detention and ongoing judicial harassment of eight pro-democracy activists, namely: Anon Nampa, prominent human rights lawyer; Parit Chiwarak, Nutchanon Pairoj, Sirichai […]
On 29 July 2021, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha exercised his power under Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation B.E. 2548 (2005) to issue Regulation issued under Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation B.E. 2548 (2005) (No. 29) [Hereinafter “Emergency Decree Regulation (No. 29)”]. The […]
Somsak ThepsutinMinister of Justice404 Chaeng Wattana Road,Thung Song Hong, Lak Si,Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok, 19 July 2021 Re: Urgently address overcrowding, protect prisoners’ health during COVID-19 crisis Dear Mr. Somsak, We, the undersigned national and international human rights organizations, reiterate our calls for the Ministry of Justice to take urgent measures to address ongoing overcrowding and the […]
(Bangkok, Paris) FIDH and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) today petitioned the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) to seek the release of Anchan Preelerd, who is currently serving the longest prison sentence ever imposed under Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code (lèse-majesté). Anchan, 65, is currently incarcerated at the […]
On 16 June 2021, activists receiving legal assistance from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), including Mr. Parit Chiwarak, Ms. Panussaya Sitthijirawattanakul, Mr. Piyarat Chongthep, and Mr. Panupong Chadnok, attended a meeting with the Standing Committee on Corruption and Misconduct of the House of Representatives. During the meeting, Mr. Parit raised his concern regarding the […]
Bangkok, Paris, 11 June 2021: The number of individuals charged with lèse-majesté has reached 100, FIDH and Thai Lawyer for Human Rights (TLHR) said today. The overwhelming majority of these cases have stemmed from online political expression and the participation in peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations that took place between August 2020 and March 2021. “The vigorous […]
(Bangkok, Paris, Phnom Penh) On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, our organizations reiterate our call on the government of Cambodia to determine his fate or whereabouts and deliver justice to his family. We also call on Thai authorities to fully cooperate with their Cambodian counterparts […]
During the first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, protestors continued to stage political rallies demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation, a new constitution, and monarchical reforms in defiance of the nationwide state of emergency. In response, state authorities have pursued legal actions against a number of people who exercised their freedom of assembly. According […]
On October 15, 2020, General Prayut Chan-ocha’s have declared a severe state of emergency in Bangkok claiming that “a number of groups have solicited, incited, and acted to organize a public assembly in violation of the Public Assembly Act” in Bangkok. Through various means and channels, the rally has made to create chaos, disruption and […]
(Bangkok, Paris, Phnom Penh) On the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, our organizations call on the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam to adequately investigate all cases of enforced disappearances in their respective countries, determine the fate or whereabouts of the victims, and ensure the victims’ families have […]
