The
Observatory has been informed about the sentencing and subsequent
arbitrary detention of Mr Anon
Nampa,
prominent pro-democracy activist and human rights lawyer.
On
September 26, 2023, the Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced Anon Nampa
to four years in prison, on one count of “lèse-majesté”
(Article 112 of Thailand Criminal Code), and a fine of 20,000 baht
(approximately 525 Euros) for violation of the Emergency Decree. The
case stemmed from a speech Mr Anon delivered on October 14, 2020, at
a peaceful demonstration
at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, where protesters had gathered to
call on the government to comply with the three demands put forward
by the pro-democracy movement that began in February 2020, including
a reform of the Thai monarchy.1
Mr Anon was charged with “lèse-majesté” over his statements
referring to King Rama X as the person with the sole authority to
order the dispersal of protests, instead of the riot police.
After
the trial, Mr Anon was detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison, pending
a decision by the Court of Appeals on his bail request, expected in
the next few days. Mr Anon’s lawyers are planning to appeal his
conviction and prison sentence.
The
Observatory recalls that this case is the first of the 14
“lèse-majesté” cases against Anon Nampa. In this case, Mr Anon
was indicted on October 7, 2021, while he was detained at the Bangkok
Remand Prison, where he had been held since August 9, 2021 in
relation to another
“lèse-majesté” case.
His temporary release requests were denied seven times before
eventually getting approved on February 22, 2022. However, he
remained detained under two other cases until eventually being
released on bail February 28, 2022.
The
Observatory further recalls that Anon Nampa was previously detained
for 113 days, from February 9, to June 1, 2021, on charges of
“lèse-majesté” and “sedition” (Article 116 of Thailand
Criminal Code) in connection with a speech concerning the Thai
monarchy he made at a peaceful pro-democracy protest at Bangkok’s
Sanam Luang on September 19, 2020.
The
Observatory notes with concern that between November 24, 2020, and
September
22,
2023, 257 people, including many human rights defenders and 17
minors, were charged under Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Eight of
them are currently detained pending trial, and three more after being
found guilty of “lèse-majesté”.
The
Observatory strongly condemns the conviction, sentencing, and
subsequent arbitrary detention of Anon Nampa, and the ongoing
judicial harassment against him, which seem to be only aimed at
punishing him for his legitimate human rights activities and the
exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful
assembly.
The
Observatory calls on the Thai authorities to immediately and
unconditionally release him and all other arbitrarily detained human
rights defenders in the country and to put an end to the judicial
harassment against them.
1
The three demands were: 1)
the resignation of Prime Minster Prayuth Chan-ocha; 2) the reform of
the monarchy; and 3) the drafting of a new constitution.
|