Activist on hunger strike ‘should be released’
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HUMAN Rights Watch called on Thai authorities Tuesday to urgently release student activist Jatupat Boonpataraksa or “Phai Dao Din”, who is currently on a hunger strike in a Chaiyaphum prison.
The group said the United Nations and other international organisations should press Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to end arrests of critics and drop charges against them.
“The junta should immediately free Jatupat and other activists who peacefully protested the proposed constitution,” said Brad Adams, HRW’s Asia director. “In the meantime, he should be under the supervision of doctors in case his health condition worsens, and diplomats should be allowed to visit him.”
Jatupat, 25, was arrested in Chaiyaphum province on August 6 for distributing publications criticising the junta-sponsored charter draft, which was approved in the national referendum the following day.
He is accused of breaching Article 61 of the referendum law, which prohibited the spread of messages about the charter draft and referendum which were false, rude, dramatic or intimidating. If found guilty, the activist could face up to 10 years in jail.
