The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the judicial harassment of 15 former and current pro-democracy activists: Ms. Chonthicha Jangrew, Messrs. Rangsiman Rome, Jatuphat Boonpattaraska (aka Pai), Apiwat Suntararak, Payu Boonsopon, Panupong Srithananuwat, Suvicha Tipangkorn, Supachai Pukrongploy, Wasant Sadesit, Songtham Kaewpanphruek, Rattapol Supasophon, Apisit Sapnapaphan, Pakorn Areekul, Pornchai Yuanyee, and Worawut Butrmatr [1].
According to the information received, the 15 above-mentioned activists were ordered to appear at Bangkok’s Pathumwan Police Station in two separate groups on May 17 and May 21, 2019, to hear charges against them under Article 116 (‘sedition’) and 215 (‘participation in an illegal assembly’) of the Thai Criminal Code. The charges stem from their participation in a peaceful protest held outside the Pathumwan Police Station on the evening of June 24, 2015. The protest was held to denounce police brutality during a separate peaceful gathering held on May 22, 2015, and to oppose the use of military courts to try civilians. In relation to the sedition charges, all 15 face a trial by a military court and, if found guilty of the offense, could face prison terms of up to seven years.
The Observatory recalls that the above-mentioned pro-democracy activists have been subjected to other spurious criminal charges in retaliation for their human rights activities [2]. Since the May 22, 2014, military coup in Thailand, all of them have been charged multiple times in connection with cases related to their peaceful exercise of rights guaranteed by international human rights instrument to which Thailand is a state party. For example, Mr. Rangsiman Rome and Ms. Chonthicha Jangrew have had nine and seven criminal cases filed against them respectively in relation to their pro-democracy activities, including peaceful protests against Thailand’s ruling military junta.
The Observatory condemns the latest acts of judicial harassment against the 15 pro-democracy activists, which occurs almost four years after the alleged violations. The Observatory also condemns the ongoing use of military courts for trials of civilians for alleged offenses committed prior to 12 September 2016.
How You Can Help
Please write to the authorities of Thailand asking them to:
i. Put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against Ms. Chonthicha Jangrew, Messrs. Jatuphat Boonpattaraska, Apiwat Suntararak, Payu Boonsopon, Panupong Srithananuwat, Suvicha Tipangkorn, Supachai Pukrongploy, Wasant Sadesit, Rangsiman Rome, Songtham Kaewpanphruek, Rattapol Supasophon, Apisit Sapnapaphan, Pakorn Areekul, Pornchai Yuanyee, and Worawut Butrmatr, as well as all human rights defenders in Thailand;
ii. Ensure in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Thailand are able to carry out their legitimate activities without any hindrance or fear of reprisals;
iii. Put an end to the use of military courts for trials of civilians for alleged offenses committed prior to 12 September 2016;
iv. Guarantee in all circumstances the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of opinion and expression of all human rights defenders in Thailand;
v. Comply with all the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1998, in particular with its Articles 1, and 12;
vi. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Thailand.
