Supporting Targets of Judicial Harassment in Thailand

(BANGKOK, March 3, 2020)— Judicial harassment to silence human rights defenders is endemic in Thailand, and the international community has an important role to play in ending it. As part of Fortify Rights’ work to strengthen and support human rights defenders, the organization coordinated an opportunity for victims of judicial harassment in Thailand to meet and brief members of the diplomatic community in Bangkok. Together with the New Zealand Embassy, Fortify Rights organized a briefing for more than 20 members of the diplomatic community, including representatives from the embassies of Canada, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Swiss, U.S., U.K., and the E.U. The meeting provided an opportunity for human rights defenders facing judicial harassment to share their concerns, experiences, and recommendations directly with diplomats. Diplomats in attendance heard from Suthasinee “Bik” Kaewleklai, Project Coordinator with the Migrant Workers Rights Network, labor rights defender Nan Win, and a lawyer working with the Community Resource Centre Foundation, which is providing pro bono legal support to affected human rights defenders.