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7/30/2019 Advocacy for Somyot by GEFONT Nepal
1/2
E. Yingluck Shinnawatra
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Government House
Thanon Phitsanulok, Dusit
Bangkok 10300, Thailand
January 11, 2013
Subject: Judicial harassment against Thai human rights defender and Editor Somyot
Prueksakasemsuk
Your Excellency,
We, the undersigned individuals and civil society organizations in Thailand and around the
world, write to you once again to urge Thailand to respect international human rights law
and protect freedom of expression by ending the judicial harassment against Somyot
Prueksakasemsuk and securing his unconditional release at the earliest instance. A father
of two, Somyot has already been in remand detention for 21 consecutive months on theso-called lese majeste charges, for having published two satirical political commentaries
in a magazine he edited.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention considers Somyot's detention
to be arbitrary and in violation of international law, and has called for his release. Thai
academics, activists, families of those affected by the lese majeste law, and colleagues of
Somyots have repeatedly called for Somyots release.We also wish to stress that the
constant denial of his right to bail- 12 time so far is inconsistent with the principle of
presumption of innocence. The Royal Thai Government should respect the constitutional
provisions granting the right to bail, in accordance with international fair trial standards
The chorus of domestic opposition to the abuse of the lese majeste law is growing by the
day and the handling of Somyots case is a crucial litmus test of the Royal Thai
Governments commitment to the rule of law and democratic principles.
A verdict on Somyots trial is expected to be delivered by the Criminal Court on January
23, 2013. We believe that he should not have been charged in the first place. Somyots
right to freedom of expression, regardless of his political opinion, is protected both by the
Constitution and by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which
is binding on Thailand. Whether the two articles on which the charges against Somyot
7/30/2019 Advocacy for Somyot by GEFONT Nepal
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were based constitute criminal offence is also highly questionable. Rather than witch-
hunting political opponents, ensuring an open and free space for discussion of politics
and other issues of public interests reduces social tension and contributes to a national
reconciliation.
Criminalizing political speech and persecuting an editor who was not the author does not
reflect the commitment to human rights Thailand has often professed on the international
stage, especially as a country that plans to seek a seat on the UN Security Council and is a
member of the Human Rights Council. Once upon a time, Thailand claimed to be ademocracy and was in fact considered as one of the most progressive countries within
ASEAN, but the abuse of restrictive legislations to criminalize citizens like Somyot has since
undermined Thailands credibility and its efforts to distinguish itself from authoritarian
regimes in the region.
We remain hopeful that the Royal Thai Government still attaches importance to human
rights and can end unjust actions against its citizens. We therefore respectfully call upon
your administration and all organs of the Government to take all appropriate steps to
ensure that Somyots arbitrary detention ends immediately and that he is able to exercise
peacefully his fundamental human rights, without reprisals of any kind, including at the
judicial level.
Thank you for your serious consideration of our concerns and recommendations. We look
forward to your response and actions in favor of freedom of expression.
Sincerely yours,
Bishnu Rimal
PresidentGEFONT