Asian Transnational Corporation (ATNC) Monitoring Network respectfully urges you to make effective protection and promotion of human rights a top priority in your administration. We strongly second the statement dated August 31, 2011, of the 112 scholars who called for action on Article 112 and the 2007 Computer Crimes Act. As the signatories of that statement have noted, domestic and international concern is mounting regarding the inexcusable and high number of cases of political prisoners being kept detained and imprisoned without charge.

ATNC Network strongly condemns the detention for more than 84 whole days without charge and then the denial of bail of Somyot Pruksakasemsuk and other political prisoners. According to data from writer David Streckfuss, the lese majeste law which was already abused before 2006 to target political opponents, since 2006 has increased dramatically. Now even outspoken media are also targeted. Charges against people for this crime have risen from 55 in 2005 to 164 in 2009 and 478 in 2010. A large number of these charges have been against people who have peacefully expressed their views as is their democratic and legal right (and in fact whose views did not even relate to the monarchy). It is unacceptable that the government should abuse its powers and allow abuse of this law in this way.

Particularly as activists and supporters of the labour movement, we are angered with this pressing human right issue and unresolved questions of accountability for violence against freedom of expression in Thailand.

In particular we note that Thailand has enjoyed GDP growth of 8% in 2010, but what is the condition of its workers and people? How much progress has there been in improving them and in eliminating poverty and injustice? Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of every free and democratic society.It is protected by the Constitution of Thailand of 2007 (Part 7, Section 45) and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Thailand acceded in 1996. Silencing the people who exercise their legitimate rights is not only a hallmark of an authoritarian regime but also a recipe for social tension and conflict. People must be free to express their views and collectively act and assemble to claim their demands which the government or employers have not been meeting. Only with such fundamental legal freedoms can Thailand move towards being a just, equal and democratic society.

 Therefore we together demand:

   1. Free Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, Joe Gordon and Chiranuch Premchaiporn.
   2. Review all arrests and prosecutions of Article 112 and the 2007 Computer Crimes Act and all related provisions.
   3. Immediately enable granting bail to all those currently in jail under Article 112 and the Computer Crimes Act. Enable the wrongly imprisoned to be freed as soon as possible.
   4. Review Article 112 itself and the 2007 Computer Crimes Act and all related provisions, and establish mechanisms through a democratic and open procedure, to eliminate abuse of these laws if not the laws themselves.

It is high time that the Thai government take concrete and serious action to cease and rectify such violations of freedom of expression. We understand that as the new Prime Minister you have already expressed your view that Article 112 may be reviewed due to the possibility of abuse. We take this statement seriously and await your fast action.

Respectfully yours

Asian Transnational Corporation Monitoring Network:

   1. Asia Monitor Resource Centre, Hong Kong
   2. Labour Action China, Hong Kong
   3. Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Union, Hong Kong
   4. Workers Assistance Center, Inc. Philippines
   5. Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA), Cambodia
   6. Sedane Resource Center (LIPS), Indonesia
   7. Globalization Monitor, Hong Kong
   8. Indonesia Metalworkers Federation (FSPMI), Indonesia
   9. Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM), Hong Kong
  10. Committee for National Solidarity (KSN), Indonesia
  11. National Free Trade Union, Sri Lanka
  12. Workers Organisation for Democracy, Thailand
  13. Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research, Inc., Philippines
  14. Serve the People Association, Taiwan
  15. Thai Labour Campaign, Thailand
  16. Worker's Information Center, Cambodia
  17. mines minerals & PEOPLE, India
  18. Solidarity of Cavite Workers, Philippines