Amnesty International praises Thai military for dropping defamation case
The announcement by the Thai military that it will drop its criminal case against an Amnesty International chairwoman and two other human-rights activists who would have faced prosecution for reporting on torture is a step in the right direction, Amnesty International said on Wednesday.
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) said it would withdraw a criminal complaint alleging criminal defamation and violations of the Computer Crimes Act against Pornpen Khonkachonkiet, Somchai Homla-or and Anchana Heemmina, who published a report on torture in the southern border provinces.
The report, by the Cross-Cultural Foundation and Duay Jai Group (Hearty Support Group), was published in February last year.
“We commend the military authorities for their decision to drop the case against these brave activists. We hope the authorities will follow this step in the right direction by immediately and unconditionally dropping complaints and charges against other peaceful human-rights activists,” said Josef Benedict, Amnesty International’s deputy director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
“This case is emblematic of how criminal-defamation provisions and other repressive laws have been used to target activists peacefully exercising their rights in Thailand. To prevent further such injustices, the authorities should reform or repeal repressive laws and bring them into line with the country’s international obligations.”