Defamation cases worry OHCHR on Thailand's human rights protection
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The United Nations Human Rights Office for South East Asia (OHCHR) has expressed its grave concern over the use of criminal defamation lawsuits as a means to pressure human rights defenders.
The statement was issued following the October 29 decision of the Phuket Provincial Court to proceed with a criminal defamation suit against Surapan Rujichaiwat from Loei province in north-eastern Thailand. The suit has been brought by Tungkum Co Ltd, a mining company. It has also brought a number of other civil and criminal cases against members of the Khon Rak Ban Koed Group (KRBK), including Porntip Hongchai, who is due to appear at the same court on November 3 on criminal defamation charges.
OHCHR also noted that the criminal defamation cases followed the May 15 incident in which a group of armed men attacked and injured more than 20 villagers, including members of the KRBK, who were blockading the transportation of minerals.
The Nation
