• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Us
  • Regional News
OHCHR
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Where We Work
    • OHCHR’s Global Priorities
    • Vacancies & Internships
    • Contact Us
  • Human Rights
    • What Are Human Rights?
    • Universal Declaration
    • International Law
    • UN Mechanisms
  • Areas of Work
      • Business & Human Rights
      • Civic Space
      • Death Penalty
      • Climate Change & Environment
      • Non-Discrimination & Equality
      • Indigenous Peoples
      • Migration
      • Early Warning & Prevention
      • Rule of Law & Accountability
      • 2030 Agenda
      • ASEAN/AICHR
      • UN Rights Mechanisms
      • Treaty Body Capacity
  • Countries
      • Brunei Darussalam
      • Cambodia
      • Indonesia
      • Lao PDR
      • Malaysia
      • Myanmar
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Timor-Leste
      • Viet Nam
  • Publications
    • Reports
    • Manuals
    • COVID-19
    • Global Publications
  • News
    • Regional News
    • Global News
    • Events
    • Stories
    • Video Features
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

NEWS RELEASE: Thailand – UN Human Rights Office calls for the immediate release of all arrested during a coal plant protest

November 29, 2017/in All Posts, Regional News, Uncategorized /by todd pitman

BANGKOK (29 November 2017) – The UN Human Rights Office for South-East Asia has called on the Government of Thailand to release and drop  charges against all those arrested during a peaceful demonstration against the construction of a 2200 MW coal powered plant in Songkla province, in southern Thailand.

On Monday 27 November, around 100 villagers from Thepa district organised a rally to submit a petition to the Prime Minister who was visiting the region. The Royal Thai Police, with support from the local military officials, intervened in the demonstration and arrested 17 men, including a local journalist and a 16-year-old child.

Sixteen persons have been charged for obstructing traffic under the Road Traffic Act and for resisting officials in the exercise of their duty under Section 138 of the Criminal Code. If found guilty, the villagers could be jailed for up to two years. Fifteen persons still remain in detention while the 16-year-old child was released on bail yesterday

“Peaceful protests are an integral part of democratic societies to ensure accountability and public participation,” said the South-East Asia Regional Representative for the UN Human Rights Office, Cynthia Veliko.

In recent years, the UN Human Rights Office has received reports of intimidation by authorities and companies against community members and activists who peacefully oppose development initiatives due to environmental, health and livelihood concerns.

Community members and activists in Thailand have increasingly been killed, physically attacked, legally charged under criminal defamation, and are also  prevented from peacefully demonstrating or participating in public discussions related to development projects.

These developments are contrary to Thailand’s strong commitments made on the Sustainable Development Goals</a>
and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

“It is essential that the Government take the necessary steps to ensure that public consultations are undertaken consistently and in a good faith, and that free, prior and informed consent of the affected communities are obtained in a meaningful manner, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Thailand,” she stressed.

“We urge the authorities to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and opinion, and to protect the physical integrity and safety of community members and human rights defenders in line with Thailand’s commitment under international human rights law.” Ms. Veliko added.

ENDS

 

Tags: Thailand
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Mail
https://bangkok.ohchr.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Square-Logo-Searo.jpg 600 600 todd pitman https://bangkok.ohchr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Logo-OHCHR.svg todd pitman2017-11-29 14:47:562021-06-23 16:48:54NEWS RELEASE: Thailand – UN Human Rights Office calls for the immediate release of all arrested during a coal plant protest
Related Articles
OHCHR NEWS RELEASE: UN Human Rights Office urges Thailand to drop cases against women human rights defenders
OHCHR NEWS RELEASE: UN Human Rights Office concerned by sentencing of labour rights activist by Bangkok court
OHCHR NEWS RELEASE – UN Human Rights Office welcomes payout to migrant workers in Thailand, says criminal charges…
OHCHR NEWS RELEASE: OHCHR calls on Thai authorities to drop all charges against student activists
Sansiri Public Limited Co. Thailand: Sansiri commits to UN Global Standards of Conduct for Business
OHCHR NEWS RELEASE: UN Human Rights Office hails decision by Thailand to drop cases against three leading human…
Tweets by OHCHRAsia

Facebook

ohchr logo

icon facebook icon instagram icon linkedin icon twitter icon youtube

About Us | Vacancies | Contact Us

© Copyright 2020 OHCHR

Countries

Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Indonesia
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Myanmar
Phillippines
Singapore
Timor-Leste
Thailand
Viet Nam

Global Priorities

Mechanisms
Development
Peace and Security
Non-Discrimination
Accountability
Participation

Scroll to top