40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, when hundreds of thousands of Filipinos took to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Manila to oppose two decades of dictatorship under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and demand the restoration of democracy.

During this mass demonstration, protesters carried flowers, prayed, and peacefully resisted a violent regime. They courageously challenged injustice, repression, and electoral fraud.

Although the peaceful 1986 uprising ended Marcos Sr.’s regime, Filipinos continue to struggle for freedom and justice. Today, under President Marcos Jr., human rights violations persist, including threats to freedom of expression, extrajudicial killings, and red-tagging: labeling critical voices as terrorists in order to justify silencing them.

HRF honors those who stood against oppression in 1986 and stands in solidarity with Filipino human rights defenders, journalists, and activists today who continue to demand accountability and uphold democracy.

HRF strongly condemns the Thai Criminal Court’s sentencing of human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa under Article 112 for advocating for reforms to the monarchy. This ruling brings his total sentence to more than 30 years.

Prosecutors accused Arnon and other defendants of failing to notify officials as legally required before organizing a 2,000-person gathering and of continuing their demonstration despite orders to disperse. They claimed that the speeches made at the protest led others to misunderstand the king and the monarchy.

Arnon is one of the most prominent figures in Thailand’s youth-led pro-democracy movement, and he has called for reform of the monarchy and a new constitution. The movement has faced heavy repression and the use of restrictive laws against its leaders and participants, forcing some activists into exile.

Thailand often uses Article 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lèse-majesté or royal defamation law, to silence dissent. According to @TLHR2014, more than 280 people have been charged under the law. HRF calls for Arnon Nampa’s immediate and unconditional release.