Thailand silences dissent, Koet Saray detention ruled arbitrary, Moscow shows limited support to Iran.

HRF strongly condemns the Thanyaburi Provincial Court’s sentencing of 77-year-old Chiraphon Butpaket to one year and six months in prison under the royal defamation law (Article 112) for her speech at a 2023 protest. HRF calls on Thailand to end the use of Article 112 to silence dissent.

Chiraphon’s charge stems from her participation in a peaceful protest in 2023, where she gave a three-finger salute and spoke critically about past coups, raising concerns about the king’s role in endorsing them.

Chiraphon is believed to be the oldest person prosecuted under the royal defamation law since Thailand’s youth-led pro-democracy protests in 2020. She received a two-year suspended sentence, one year on probation, and must participate in a dhamma training program.

To learn more about restrictions on freedom of expression and Thailand’s ongoing struggle for democracy, watch former @OsloFF speaker @Paritw92 ’s speech.

Mr. Koet Saray was arrested in April 2024 for advocating on behalf of forcibly evicted villagers in Preah Vihear Province and was charged under vague “incitement” provisions in Articles 494 and 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Code. He was held in pretrial detention for six months, tried in a single-day, closed hearing, and sentenced to four years in prison.

HRF joins the call for Mr. Koet Saray’s immediate release, a transparent investigation, and the repeal of Cambodia’s abusive incitement laws. The international community must hold the Cambodian regime accountable for silencing human rights defenders.

Read HRF’s press release.