Advocacy for Somyot by PSI
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Public Services Inter national is a global trade union federation repr esenting 20 million working w omen and men who deliver vital public services in 150 countries. PSI champions human rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to q uality public services. PSI works with the United Nations system and in partnership with labour, civil society and other organisations. H.E. Yingluck Shinnawa tra Prime Minister Office of the Prime Minister Government House Thanon Phitsanulok, Dusit Bangkok 10300, Thailand Fax: +662 280 0858 or +66 2 288 4016 File Referen ce: RP/SV/CHM Contact Name: [email protected] 17 January 2013 Dear Prime Minister, Judicial harassmentagainst Thai labou r and human right s campaigner Somyot Prueksakasemsuk We are writing to urge Thailand to respect intern ational human rights la w and protect freedom of expression by the uncon ditional release o f Somyot Prueksakase msuk. A father of two, Somyot has already been in reman d detention for 21 consecutive mon ths under Article 112, the so-call ed ‘Lese Majeste’ law, 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. We also wish to stress that th e cons tant d enial of his right to bail – 12 times so far – is inc onsi sten t with the principle of the presumption of innocence. A verdict on Somyot’s trial is e xpected to be delivered by the Criminal Court on January 23, 2013. We believe that Somyot should not have been charged in the first place. Somyot’s 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. Witch-huntin g political opponen ts negates an open an d free space for discussion o f politics and other issu es of public interest. Criminali sing political speech a nd persec uting an editor do es no t reflect the commitment to human rights Thailand has often professed on the international stage. We therefore respectfully ca ll upon y our administration to take the appropria te steps to en sure that Somyot’s arbitrary deten tion ends immediatel y and he is not subject to any more harass ment. Thank you for your serious consideration of our concerns and recommendations. We look forward to your response and actions in favour of freedom of expression. Sincerely yours, Rosa PAVANELLI General Secretary CC.: Secretar iat of the Prime Minis ter ( [email protected] ), Secretariat of the Cabinet ( [email protected] ), PSI Regional Office for Asia-Pacific, and [email protected]
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Transcript of Advocacy for Somyot by PSI
Public Services International is a global trade union federation representing 20 million working women and men who deliver vitalpublic services in 150 countries. PSI champions human rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to qualitypublic services. PSI works with the United Nations system and in partnership with labour, civil society and other organisations.
H.E. Yingluck ShinnawatraPrime Minister Office of the Prime Minister Government HouseThanon Phitsanulok, DusitBangkok 10300, ThailandFax: +662 280 0858 or +66 2 288 4016
File Reference: RP/SV/CHMContact Name: [email protected]
17 January 2013
Dear Prime Minister,
Judicial harassment against Thai labour and human rights campaignerSomyot Prueksakasemsuk
We are writing to urge Thailand to respect international human rights law and protect freedom of expression by the unconditional release of Somyot Prueksakasemsuk. A father of two, Somyot hasalready been in remand detention for 21 consecutive months under Article 112, the so-called ‘LeseMajeste’ law, 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 bearbitrary and in violation of international law, and has called for his release. We also wish to stressthat the constant denial of his right to bail – 12 times so far – is inconsistent with the principle of thepresumption of innocence.
A verdict on Somyot’s trial is expected to be delivered by the Criminal Court on January 23, 2013.We believe that Somyot should not have been charged in the first place. Somyot’s right to freedomof expression, regardless of his political opinion, is protected both by the Constitution and by theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is binding on Thailand.
Witch-hunting political opponents negates an open and free space for discussion of politics andother issues of public interest. Criminalising political speech and persecuting an editor does notreflect the commitment to human rights Thailand has often professed on the international stage.
We therefore respectfully call upon your administration to take the appropriate steps to ensure thatSomyot’s arbitrary detention ends immediately and he is not subject to any more harassment.
Thank you for your serious consideration of our concerns and recommendations. We look forwardto your response and actions in favour of freedom of expression.
Sincerely yours,
Rosa PAVANELLIGeneral SecretaryCC.: Secretariat of the Prime Minister ( [email protected]
), Secretariat of the Cabinet
( [email protected] ), PSI Regional Office for Asia-Pacific, and [email protected]
