HRF expresses concerns over the Thai Constitutional Court’s May 2026 decision to uphold the military conscription law despite concerns that it infringes upon constitutional rights, including freedom of conscience and belief.
The ruling allows legal proceedings against Thai activist and former HRF Freedom Fellow @NetiwitC, who was charged in 2024 after refusing to participate in the compulsory military draft as an act of peaceful civil disobedience.
Netiwit’s trial is widely regarded as the first prosecution of a conscientious objector in Thailand. A verdict in his criminal case is scheduled for 20 July. If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison. Following the 2014 military coup, he declared that he would refuse conscription due to his religious and moral beliefs. He stated that he opposes bearing arms and taking part in actions that could harm or take the lives of others.
“I refuse military conscription not out of hatred for my country, but out of conscience and love for life. No young person should be forced by the state to bear arms or take part in violence against their deepest moral and religious beliefs,” said Netiwit. “This case is not only about me; it is about whether Thailand will recognize freedom of conscience and allow young people to serve society through peaceful means.”
HRF calls on Thailand to immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal.
