By Prachatai |
<p>According to a Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) report, at least 18 people in 14 cases have been charged under controversial contempt of court provisions in 2021. 14 arose in connection with protests calling for the right to bail of detained activists.</p>
By International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) |
<p>The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) FIDH and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) have petitioned the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention for the release of 65-year-old Anchan Preelerd, who is currently serving the longest prison sentence ever imposed in a lèse majesté case and is current held at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Bangkok.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>Saharat Sukkhamla, a novice monk who has often attended protests, has received a summons from Pathumwan Police Station on a royal defamation charge relating to a speech he gave at a protest on 21 November 2020.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>Student activist Parit Chiwarak is now facing 20 counts under the lèse majesté law, after complaints were filed against him for Facebook posts he made about King Vajiralongkorn’s divorce from his ex-wife Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, and the use of Sanam Luang for funerals.</p>
By International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) |
<p>The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) call for the Thai authorities to end legal prosecution against individuals exercising their right to freedom of expression and to amend Article 112 to bring it into line with Thailand’s human rights obligations under the ICCPR, as the number of individuals facing lèse majesté charges reached 100. </p>
By Prachatai |
<p>Chaiamorn “Ammy” Kaewwiboonpan, lead singer of pop band The Bottom Blues, is facing another royal defamation charge for singing a modified version of his song “1 2 3 4 5 I love you” at a protest in front of the Thanyaburi Provincial Court in January 2021.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>A 17-year-old activist became the first person under the age of 18 to be indicted under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, after he was charged for a speech given at a protest on 6 December 2020.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>The mother of student activist Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul has received a police summons on a charge under the Emergency Decree, after she joined a protest demanding her daughter’s release.</p>
<p>The Criminal Court has approved bail requests for activist Parit Chiwarak and singer Chaiamorn Kaewwiboonpan. The request for Panupong Jadnok was delayed until the next Covid-19 test is declared.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>A Ministry of Digital Economy and Society representative filed a complaint against a trans woman for sharing a Facebook post of an academic critic of the monarchy. In another incident, a man was charged for a post in the ‘Royalist Marketplace’ Facebook group, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.</p>
By Prachatai |
<p>22 people facing charges relating to the protests on 19 – 20 September 2020, including 7 protest leaders facing lèse majesté charges, have withdrawn their legal representation in protest at court measures and treatment by prison officials which deny them the right to a fair and open trial. </p>
By Prachatai |
<p>Phonphimon (last name withheld), a 22-year-old online vendor from Chiang Mai, faces a royal defamation charge and a charge under the Computer Crimes Act for a Facebook post made in October 2020 and is currently still in detention.</p>