Konfederasi KASBI (Confederation of Congress of Indonesian Unions Alliance) is deeply concerned over the re-arrest of labour activist Somyot Pruksakasemsuk and worried about his safety in the prison.Somyot Pruksakasemsuk was arrested on 30th April 2011 and is currently being held at Klong Prem Central Prison, in Bangkok. We believe this is part of a systematic repression against pro-democracy activists in Thailand.

We call upon the government of Thailand for the immediate release of Somyot Pruksakasemsuk. Somyot Pruksakasemsuk is
known for his tirelessly active involvement in the work of supporting the empowerment of the workers movement and the
establishment of democratic trade unionism in Thailand.

We were informed by Somyot Pruksakasemsuk from a letter written by him in prison on 2 May 2011. He believes that his arrest was due to the eort by him and other pro democracy activists to collect the 10,000 signatures needed to table for a repeal of section 112 of the Criminal Code/Lese Majeste Law in parliament. This action was done in a peaceful manner and according to the procedure prescribed by the 2007 Constitution.

We are concerned about the current state of human rights and democracy in Thailand, where even peaceful and legal methods
to express one’s views are suppressed and denied. We also believed that even this year’s election if to be held on time, it will not be free and fair, as the government continue to use repressive measures against pro-democracy movement in Thailand.

We also call upon the government of Thailand:
• To release all political prisoners;
• To stop using such law to persecute pro-democracy activists;
• To abolish all draconian censorship laws;
• To totally reform the military and judiciary system in Thailand;
• To punish all the generals and politician who ordered the killing of civilians.

Jakarta, 21 May 2011