Andrea Bolaños Vargas, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, welcomed the Thai Court of Appeal's ruling that the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) is liable for the damages against human rights defenders Angkhana Neelapaijit and Anchana Heemmina through digital attacks and disinformation campaigns.
In a Tweet from 24 June, Vargas wrote that the judgement is significant in that the Court recognised Angkhana and Anchana as human rights defenders and acknowledged serious harm caused by such campaigns. It also recognised that digital attacks and disinformation can violate the rights of defenders. She calls on the Thai authorities to ensure full implementation of this judgment, guarantee the defenders' protection, and enable them to continue their human rights work without fear of reprisals.
The full message reads:
The judgment is significant for several reasons. The Court explicitly recognized them as WHRDs and characterized systematic cyber-bullying and online attacks as psychological torture under international human rights standards. Importantly, it affirmed that digital attacks and disinformation can violate the rights of defenders.
The Court acknowledged the serious harm caused by such campaigns, including exposing defenders to hostility and threats, eroding public trust, discouraging victims from seeking assistance, and compromising their safety and psychological well-being. Equally crucial, it held that state authorities may be held accountable for their involvement in these actions and ordered the State to provide compensation
I call on the Thai authorities to ensure full implementation of this judgment, guarantee the defenders' protection, and enable them to continue their human rights work without fear of reprisals.
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