Jonathan Fairfield Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Amnesty International urges govt. to stop harassing flash mob activists Amnesty International, a UK-based non-governmental organization released a public statement on Tuesday (December 24) urging the Thai government to end the judicial harassment of the political opposition, human rights defenders and activists in Thailand who participated in peaceful protests. Amnesty International was referring to the one-hour flash mob protest on December 14 at the Pathumwan skywalk in Bangkok, led by Future Forward Party (FWP) leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who said that the gathering of his supporters was just a precursor to the “real rally” in January. After the event, Thanathorn and FWP members were summoned by the authorities for possible violation of laws in organizing the flash mob. Amnesty International therefore urged Thai government to stop using the provisions of the Public Assembly Act that excessively restrict the right to peaceful assembly, and Article 116 – Thailand’s sedition law – which is extensively used to stifle peaceful dissent of activists, human rights defenders, journalist and lawyer. Thanathorn decided to organize the event after the Election Commission petitioned the Constitutional Court to dissolve Future Forward Party over Thanathorn's Bt191-million loan, which it alleged was illegal for a political party. On November 20, the Constitutional Court unseated Thanathorn as a member of Parliament. The court ruled that he had registered to run in the March election while still holding shares in a media company, in violation of the law. The full statement is as follow: THAILAND: DROP CHARGES AGAINST OPPOSITION MEMBERS AND ACTIVISTS HOLDING ‘FLASH MOBS’ Amnesty International calls for an end to judicial harassment of the political opposition, human rights defenders and activists in Thailand, as authorities began new criminal proceedings against members of the Future Forward Party and activists because of their recent peaceful protests. The charges came after tens of thousands of Thais took to the streets on the evening of 14 December for a one-hour flash mob protest in Bangkok, as well as in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and other provinces in northern and northeastern Thailand. These peaceful protests followed the Election Commission’s announcement, on 11 December, that it would recommend that the Constitutional Court order the Future Forward Party’s dissolution. The Thai authorities have filed a series of unwarranted charges against senior leaders of the Future Forward Party, including its leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. A new opposition party, the Future Forward Party won 81 seats in the 2019 general elections. Both prior and subsequent to the elections, the authorities initiated measures to dissolve the Future Forward Party and disqualify Thanathorn as a member of parliament. On the day of the protest, police charged party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and others with unlawful gathering in public and unlawful use of speakers under the Public Assembly Law. On Monday, 16 December, Sonthiya Sawasdee, an MP for the majority Palang Pracharath Party, filed a lawsuit against four Future Forward members – leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, spokesperson Pannika Wanich, secretary Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and MP Pita Limjaroenrat. The suit accused the defendants of failing to notify authorities of the gathering, organizing a gathering within a 150 metre of the Royal Court and blocking access to public places; sedition under national security-related Section 116 of the Criminal Code; and violation of the royal institution under Article 6 of the Thai Constitution. If convicted, the party members would face a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment. In Chiang Mai, the administrator of the Liberal Assembly of Chiang Mai University for Democracy Facebook page–a separate group promoting the protest – was also charged with failure to submit a protest notice to authorities 24 hours prior to the event. This provision under the Public Assembly Law carries a maximum fine of THB 10,000 (approx. USD 3,300) and has been repeatedly used by the authorities to intervene and suppress gatherings throughout Thailand since its enactment under the military government in 2015. Amnesty International calls on the authorities to stop using the provisions of the Public Assembly Act that excessively restrict the right to peaceful assembly, and Article 116 – Thailand’s sedition law –which is extensively used to stifle peaceful dissent of activists, human rights defenders, journalist and lawyer. These provisions should be repealed or amended to be in line with Thailand’s international human rights obligations and commitments. The authorities must fully respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30379852 -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-12-26 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiwrath Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Nice idea from Amnesty International, but, the reality is, these <deleted> in charge of Thailand, don't give a flying <deleted> what they, or any other body, thinks about their rulings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neeray Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Best news item of my current viewing time slot. Any external pressure is good pressure. Good for FFP. Bad for "Army Government". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 1 minute ago, Thaiwrath said: Nice idea from Amnesty International, but, the reality is, these <deleted> in charge of Thailand, don't give a flying <deleted> what they, or any other body, thinks about their rulings. and really, why should they? because others can solve all the problems that face the country and its people? 5555 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suua Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Keep it up Amnesty international.....keep the UK and the rest of the world informed as to what injustices are happening in Thailand....tourist figures will hopefully decline to insignificant. Well done, bring the tyrant scum to their knees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinneil Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Sadly Amnesty international are wasting their time, it is falling on deaf ears. The crowd running/ destroying this country dont care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 lot more than meets the eye with this group with all their 100k a year managers.. https://www.ngo-monitor.org/the_dark_side_of_amnesty_international/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suua Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Not wasting their time....the more it is in the news the better. Whilst the scum don't care, that doesn't matter. What matters, is that people around the world are being made aware! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy cow cm Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 How Dare Amnesty international for meddling in their stomping on citizens who are opposed to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoon Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 3 hours ago, from the home of CC said: lot more than meets the eye with this group with all their 100k a year managers.. https://www.ngo-monitor.org/the_dark_side_of_amnesty_international/ Take the trouble to follow up on your nearly 10 year old link. Really pathetic. Hopelessly out of date and, in light of subsequent police investigation into its target, Moazzam Begg, utterly discredited. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29442623 In order to maintain fairness and balance, anyone seeking further information from your source can contact them at: NGO-Monitor.org 10 Yad Harutzim St. Jerusalem 9342148 Israel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candide Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 3 hours ago, Thaiwrath said: Nice idea from Amnesty International, but, the reality is, these <deleted> in charge of Thailand, don't give a flying <deleted> what they, or any other body, thinks about their rulings. As long as it does not prevent them from filling their pockets, they won't care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Enoon said: Take the trouble to follow up on your nearly 10 year old link. Really pathetic. Hopelessly out of date and, in light of subsequent police investigation into its target, Moazzam Begg, utterly discredited. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29442623 In order to maintain fairness and balance, anyone seeking further information from your source can contact them at: NGO-Monitor.org 10 Yad Harutzim St. Jerusalem 9342148 Israel the hits just keep on coming.. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/06/amnesty-international-has-toxic-working-culture-report-finds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 here's another one, seems they really like to pick and choose.. https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/05/amnesty-morally-corrupted/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billd766 Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 6 hours ago, from the home of CC said: lot more than meets the eye with this group with all their 100k a year managers.. https://www.ngo-monitor.org/the_dark_side_of_amnesty_international/ At the very least they are doing something positive. What are YOU doing about it other than carping on and running the organisation down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matzzon Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Right it falls on deaf ears. The head is stuck up their a$$ so far that it absolutely sound proof! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 38 minutes ago, billd766 said: At the very least they are doing something positive. What are YOU doing about it other than carping on and running the organisation down? as it is not my country it really isn't my business to stick my nose into their affairs unlike some groups and folks that reek of arrogance and superiority.. If AI has instilled a lasting positive effect on the daily lives of Thais, send me a pm will you? The more I research this group the more creeped out I get, but please don't put your pom poms down.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 20 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said: Amnesty International calls on the authorities to stop using the provisions of the Public Assembly Act that excessively restrict the right to peaceful assembly, and Article 116 – Thailand’s sedition law –which is extensively used to stifle peaceful dissent of activists, human rights defenders, journalist and lawyer. These provisions should be repealed or amended to be in line with Thailand’s international human rights obligations and commitments. The authorities must fully respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Note to PM: The world is watching you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubon farang Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Latest Betting odds the court will rule in favour of disolving the FFP Party will banished by trumped up charges 5/4 Chances of court defying governemnt and saying FFP legal and can stay in Parliment 500 -1 The governemnt owns the courts so you think these judges will go against them and lose there cosy life NO bloody way mate Probably got army generals sitting on the bench having a vote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 On 12/26/2019 at 12:39 PM, Thaiwrath said: Nice idea from Amnesty International, but, the reality is, these <deleted> in charge of Thailand, don't give a flying <deleted> what they, or any other body, thinks about their rulings. Amnesty International were initially good. Highlighting where individuals were being held in detention, without trials, etc. Now they're a joke. Infiltrated by the left they concentrate on supporting left wing activists. They constantly whine about the 'rights' of left wingers to do as they please whilst never ever commentating on left wingers who break laws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 1 hour ago, ubon farang said: Latest Betting odds the court will rule in favour of disolving the FFP Party will banished by trumped up charges 5/4 Chances of court defying governemnt and saying FFP legal and can stay in Parliment 500 -1 The governemnt owns the courts so you think these judges will go against them and lose there cosy life NO bloody way mate Probably got army generals sitting on the bench having a vote If the charges were indeed 'trumped up" i.e conveniently invented, then your're right. However, if they didn't bother to follow the rules, whether by arrogance, ignorance or deliberately as a provocation, then they are wrong and deserve their fate. Although one would hope the punishment is appropriate rather than extra excessive. The last thing Thailand needs is a new bunch of rich politicians who think they're above the law and that rules only apply to others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 3 hours ago, hotchilli said: Note to PM: The world is watching you! No it's not. Amnesty International has little influence anywhere. Not even in the UK anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 23 hours ago, colinneil said: Sadly Amnesty international are wasting their time, it is falling on deaf ears. The crowd running/ destroying this country dont care. Amnesty International are a waste of time Colin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okis Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 35 minutes ago, Baerboxer said: The last thing Thailand needs is a new bunch of rich politicians who think they're above the law and that rules only apply to others. Thailand is already being ruled like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 3 hours ago, Baerboxer said: Amnesty International were initially good. Highlighting where individuals were being held in detention, without trials, etc. Now they're a joke. Infiltrated by the left they concentrate on supporting left wing activists. They constantly whine about the 'rights' of left wingers to do as they please whilst never ever commentating on left wingers who break laws. Yes, going from helping 'lost cause' people get noticed and perhaps helped to organizing political protests against Trump - quite a downfall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redline Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 On 12/26/2019 at 12:51 PM, from the home of CC said: and really, why should they? because others can solve all the problems that face the country and its people? 5555 Who is “others”? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 3 hours ago, Baerboxer said: If the charges were indeed 'trumped up" i.e conveniently invented, then your're right. However, if they didn't bother to follow the rules, whether by arrogance, ignorance or deliberately as a provocation, then they are wrong and deserve their fate. Although one would hope the punishment is appropriate rather than extra excessive. The last thing Thailand needs is a new bunch of rich politicians who think they're above the law and that rules only apply to others. Also the last thing this country needs is insurrection in the streets with either the reinvented redshirts or the army using weapons of war killing women and children by the roadside. You can be damn sure the billionaire won't be putting his life in the line of fire if he starts the rioting by his temper tantrums.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redline Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 3 hours ago, Baerboxer said: Amnesty International were initially good. Highlighting where individuals were being held in detention, without trials, etc. Now they're a joke. Infiltrated by the left they concentrate on supporting left wing activists. They constantly whine about the 'rights' of left wingers to do as they please whilst never ever commentating on left wingers who break laws. Be more exact in your response. I guess because “right wingers” like Trump support authoritarians and dictators-guess I’m a “left winger” because I support the US Constitution. Besides, they fight for rights of everyone. What rights do you prefer eliminating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 6 minutes ago, Redline said: Who is “others”? anyone who does not have Thai blood in their veins... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooBigToFit Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 I'd like to see the next anti-regime flash mob actually go for the world-record for the largest number of people to ever moon a leader. Prayuth and his cohorts deserve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 4 hours ago, Baerboxer said: No it's not. Amnesty International has little influence anywhere. Not even in the UK anymore. Did I mention Amnesty international? Or did I say the rest of the world was watching? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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