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Bangkok Criminal Court to begin trial tomorrow

(BANGKOK, May 23, 2019)—Thai authorities should immediately drop defamation complaints brought by poultry company Thammakaset Company Limited against two human rights defenders for their involvement in promoting labor rights in Thailand, Fortify Rights said today.
 
Tomorrow, May 24, the Bangkok Criminal Court is scheduled to begin a criminal trial against Nan Win and Sutharee Wannasiri. Thammakaset accused the pair of criminal defamation for their involvement in Fortify Rights-related activities.

“This case has no merit and is intended to silence human rights defenders,” said Amy Smith, Executive Director at Fortify Rights. “The Thai authorities have a responsibility to protect human rights defenders from spurious lawsuits, and we expect the authorities to fulfill that responsibility in this case.”

On February 14, 89 organizations, including Fortify Rights, submitted a joint letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha calling on the Thai government “to take immediate action to oppose and seek the dismissal of cases filed by Thammakaset” and to develop legislation “that fully protects employees, human rights defenders, and others from judicial harassment.”

Nan Win and Sutharee Wannasiri are represented in court by the NSP Legal Office.

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