As Thailand approaches its general election and constitutional referendum, we — the Human Rights Foundation, @article19org, @FortifyRights, @forum_asia, and @TLHR2014 — express deep concern that restrictions on freedom of expression have precluded meaningful discussion of human rights issues from public debate.
On Feb. 8, Thai voters will elect a new government and vote whether to replace the military-drafted 2017 constitution with one that enshrines political rights and civic freedoms. However, restrictions on speech have kept discussions of legal reforms and prisoners of conscience largely absent from public debate.
In 2024, Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled that advocating changes to Article 112, the lèse-majesté law that criminalizes criticism of the monarchy, is unconstitutional. The court dissolved the Move Forward Party and banned its leaders from politics for 10 years after the party pledged to amend the law.
Recent rulings and politically motivated charges have created a chilling effect on political debate. Discussion of free expression and reform of Article 112 is missing, as more than 1,900 people have been charged for political expression and at least 55 people remain imprisoned, including human rights lawyer @arnonnampa.
Broader human rights issues, including Thailand’s involvement in transnational repression, remain overlooked in election campaigning and undermine the country’s stated human rights commitments.
We call on Thailand to respect freedom of expression.
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