Trial of British researcher is blatant victimisation
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) condemns the trial of British human-rights defender Andy Hall, which opened in Bangkok on Tuesday, as a clear example of victimisation and a cover-up.
Hall is facing criminal and civil cases of defamation, brought against him by Thailand’s Natural Fruit Co following his investigation of the firm for the report “Cheap Has a High Price”, published by the NGO Finnwatch (www.finnwatch.org).
“This trial is indefensible and should be halted immediately,” says ITF president Paddy Crumlin. “Thailand should be acting against the appalling treatment of workers and for freedom of opinion, not victimising one of the people who rightly brought this awful state of affairs to wider attention.”
ITF general secretary Steve Cotton has appealed directly to the Thai Pineapple Association to disassociate itself from the case brought by its member company against Hall. “This matter has now become of relevance to constituents across global food supply chains and international civil society at large,” he told the association.
“The ITF believes that the prosecution of Mr Hall is a misuse of the law to punish public interest whistle-blowing.
“We urge you once again to use your good offices to persuade Natural Fruit Co and its CEO to withdraw the charges and enter into constructive dialogue with Thai unions and workers’ rights defenders to address the serious allegations raised by Mr Hall.”
Andy Hall is detailing the case against him at http://andyjhall.wordpress.com as well as via the @atomicalandy Twitter account. His case has attracted widespread support from across the trade-union movement, including the International Union of Food, Agricultural and Hospitality Workers and a spectrum of trade unions, union organisations and NGOs.
International Transport Workers’ Federation
