Following the sixth royal defamation conviction against human rights lawyer and activist Anon Nampa, PEN America issued a statement demanding Anon's immediate release and an end to the lèse-majesté law.

Anon Nampa speaking at the Harry Potter-themed protest on 3 August 2020, demanding monarchy reform.

PEN America strongly condemns the Thai Criminal Court’s most recent sentencing of Anon Nampa to two years and eight months in prison. The lèse-majesté (insulting the monarchy) and sedition charges against the poet, human rights lawyer, and activist stem from a peaceful speech delivered at a Harry Potter-themed protest.

“Free expression is a fundamental human right that includes the ability of citizens to voice their opinions, even in criticism of governing authorities, which, in the case of Anon Nampa, includes speaking out against Thailand’s monarchy. Nampa’s speeches, letters, and poems have inspired countless other Thai citizens to envision a more just and equitable society, making his imprisonment a broader assault on the right to free expression for all people in Thailand. PEN America calls for the immediate release of Arnon Nampa and an end to the lèse-majesté law. International partners of Thailand must pressure the Thai government to uphold its obligations under international human rights law, including the protection of free expression," said PEN in a statement.

This latest conviction stems from Nampa’s peaceful speech at a Harry Potter-themed protest in August 2020, during which he called attention to contentious issues including the King’s control over crown property, the government’s allocation of taxpayer funds, and the need for monarchy reform. (The speech is included in PEN International’s booklet The Monarchy and Thai Society.)

This is Nampa’s sixth lèse-majesté conviction, bringing his cumulative prison sentence to 18 years, 10 months, and 20 days. With eight additional lèse-majesté cases still pending, Nampa remains a prime target in the Thai government’s ongoing crackdown on dissent.

PEN America is particularly concerned by the lack of judicial impartiality in Nampa’s trial, the refusal to allow key defense evidence and secret proceedings that violate his right to a fair trial under international law. These actions by the Thai government not only stifle free expression but also undermine the principles of justice and transparency.Thailand’s lèse-majesté law criminalizes insults against the monarchy and carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment per count if convicted. The use of lèse-majesté law increased starting in 2020, following the Free Youth protests, which were student-led protests calling for political reforms and denouncing the harassment of government critics. At least 257 individuals have been charged with “lèse-majesté” under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, reflecting a concerning trend of stifling dissent and curbing freedom of expression in Thailand.