According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), between October 13 and 21, 2020, police arrested 90 individuals in connection with ongoing peaceful pro-democracy protests in Bangkok and other parts of the country. Those arrested included scores of pro-democracy activists, a journalist, and a 16-year-old boy. As of October 23, most of the pro-democracy activists had been released[1]. However, the following eight remained detained:
– Mr. Anon Nampa, human rights lawyer, was arrested on October 15 in Bangkok for violation of the Emergency Decree. He has been charged with “sedition” (Article 116 of the Criminal Code) in connection with his participation in a peaceful pro-democracy protest in Chiang Mai on August 9. He is detained in Chiang Mai Central Prison.
– Mr. Parit Chiwarak and Ms. Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, Thammasat University student activists, were arrested on October 15 in Bangkok for violation of the Emergency Decree. They have been charged with “sedition” (Article 116) and the Computer Crimes Act in connection with their participation in a peaceful pro-democracy protest on Thammasat University campus in Rangsit, Pathumthani Province, on August 10. The two are detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison and the Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Bangkok, respectively.
– Mr. Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, prominent human rights defender and former lèse-majesté prisoner, was arrested in Bangkok on October 16 on various charges, including “sedition” (Article 116), in connection with his participation in a peaceful pro-democracy protest on September 19 in Bangkok. He is detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.
– Mr. Ekachai Hongkangwan, human rights defender and former lèse-majesté prisoner, was arrested in Bangkok on October 16 on charges of “committing or attempting to commit an act of violence against the Queen” (Article 110), in connection with his participation in a peaceful pro-democracy protest in Bangkok on October 14. He is detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.
– Mr. Panupong Chadnok, member of the group Eastern Youth for Democracy, was arrested in Bangkok on October 17 for violation of the Emergency Decree. He has been charged with “sedition” (Article 116) in connection with his participation in three separate peaceful pro-democracy protests in Bangkok in September and October. He is detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.
– Mr. Patiwat Saraiyaem, human rights defender and former lèse-majesté prisoner, was arrested in Khon Kean on October 19 for violation of the Emergency Decree. He has been charged with “sedition” (Article 116) in connection with his participation in a peaceful pro-democracy protest in Bangkok on September 19.
– Mr. Suranat Paenprasert, Coordinator of Active Youth, was arrested in Bangkok on October 21 on charges of “committing or attempting to commit an act of violence against the Queen” (Article 110), in connection with his participation in a peaceful pro-democracy protest in Bangkok on October 14. He is detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.
Amid ongoing demonstrations, the Observatory condemns the violent dispersal of thousands of peaceful protesters by riot police on the evening of October 16 in central Bangkok. The decision to violently disperse the protest and the use of water cannons, which were filled with potentially harmful chemical, are inconsistent with various relevant international standards.[2]
The Observatory also decries the Thai government’s attempts to silence pro-democracy and independent media outlets, which have been targeted for simply using their online platforms to report on the ongoing protests and related crackdown. On October 20, 2020, under the Emergency Decree issued by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on October 15, police requested the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) to investigate whether the online platforms of the pro-democracy group Free Youth and independent Thai media outlets VoiceTV, Reporters, Standard, and Prachatai had violated the Emergency Decree and should be suspended. On October 21, the Bangkok Criminal Court ordered the suspension of VoiceTV’s online platforms. On October 22, the Bangkok Criminal overturned its own decision and rejected the police request to suspend the online platforms of all five outlets. The Emergency Decree was lifted on October 22.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (the Observatory) was created in 1997 by FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). The objective of this programme is to prevent or remedy situations of repression against human rights defenders. FIDH and OMCT are both members of ProtectDefenders.eu, the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism implemented by international civil society.
[1] Among the pro-democracy activists released were: Mr. Prasit Khrutharot; Mr. Boonkueanoon Paothong, Mr. Tattep Runagprapaikitseree, Mr. Korakot Saengyenphan, Mr. Nawat Liangwattana, Mr. Wasan Klamthaworn, Mr. Chatchai Kaewkhampod, Mr. Natchanon Phayakphan, Mr. Shinawatra Chankrachang, Mr. Siraphop Pumpuengput, Mr. Sombat Thongyoy, Mr. Nattanon Duangsungnern, Mr. Anurak Jentwanit, Mr. Elia Fofi, Mr. Tossaporn Serirak, Ms. Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon, and Mr. Jatupat Boonpattararaksa.
[2] These international standards include: Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Thailand is state party; Article 15 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Thailand is state party; paragraphs 85-87 of the UN Human Rights Committee’s General Comment No. 37 on Article 21 of the ICCPR; paragraph 13 of the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials; and paragraphs 7.7.2 – 7.7.4 of the UN Human Rights Guidance on Less-Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement.