Advocacy for Somyot by HKCTU, Hong Kong

7/30/2019 Advocacy for Somyot by HKCTU, Hong Kong

1/4

HONG KONG CONFEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS

557-559 1919/F., WING WONG COMMERCIAL BLDG., 557-559 NATHAN ROAD, KLN, H.K./Websitewww.hkctu.org.hk /[email protected] /Tel2770 8668 /Fax2770 7388

H.E. Yingluck Shinnawatra

Prime Minister

Office of the Prime Minister

Government House

Thanon Phitsanulok, Dusit

Bangkok 10300, Thailand

January 16, 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 the so-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


2/4

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 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 a democracy 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,

Lee Cheuk-yan

General Secretary

Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions

Copied to:

H.E. Mr. Pracha Promnok


3/4

Minister of Justice

22nd Floor Software Park Building

Chaeng Wattana Road

Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand

Fax: +66 2 650 9340 / 2 502 6734 / 2 502 6884

E-mail: [email protected] , [email protected]

H.E. Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

443 Sri Ayudhya Road


Fax: +66 2 643 5320 / 2 643 5314 / 2 643 5272

Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Mr. Jullasingha Wasantasingha

Attorney General

Office of the Attorney General

Lukmuang Building, Nahuppei Road

Prabraromrachawang, Pranakorn


Fax: +66 2 224 0162 / 1448 / 221 0858

E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Mr. Pairoj Wayuparp

The President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Thailand

6 Ratchadamnoen Nai Road,

Prabarommaharatchawang, Phranakorn,


Fax: 02-1434308; +66 2226-4389

Email: [email protected]

Mr. Tavee Prajuablarp

Chief Judge of the Criminal Court of Thailand

Radchada Pisek Road, Jormpon Sub-District, Jatujak District


Fax.+66 2541 2141
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/hhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/hhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_10/h


4/4

H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Permanent Representative

Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in

Geneva

Rue Gustave Moynier 5

1202 Geneva, Switzerland

Fax: +41 22 715 10 00 , +41 22 715 10 02

Email: [email protected]

H.E. Mr. Norachit Sinhaseni

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Permanent Representative

Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations in New York

351 East 52nd Street

New York, N.Y. 10022, USA

Fax: +1 212 688 3029

E-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Seree Nonthasoot

Thailands Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)

Email:[email protected]

Professor Amara Pongsapich

Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand

120 Chaengwattana Road, Laksi District


Fax. +66 2 141 3900

Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

Advocacy for Somyot by HKCTU, Hong Kong

Documents

Transcript of Advocacy for Somyot by HKCTU, Hong Kong