British migrant rights activist and blogger Andy Hall has been convicted of criminal defamation and computer crimes in connection with a report published by Finnwatch in 2013. Hall was sentenced to three-year prison term, suspended for two years, and a fine of 150,000 Baht (approx. US$4,300) on 20 May 2016.

English PEN is shocked by the conviction and believes that the charges against Hall are directly linked to his peaceful and legitimate work as a migrant rights advocate. We are therefore calling for his sentence to be overturned and his conviction to be quashed: please join us.

For further information, please visit the PEN International website.

Take action

Spread the word

Please share details of Andy Hall’s conviction with friends and colleagues and on social media.

Show your support

Follow Andy Hall on Twitter – @atomicalandy – and send him a message of support.

Write to the Thai authorities

Please send appeals:

• Calling on the Thai authorities to quash Andy Hall’s conviction;
• Reiterating serious concern over the use of criminal defamation and computer-crime laws  in Thailand to gag critical voices;
• Urging the authorities to amend the Criminal Code to ensure that it meets Thailand’s international obligations to protect freedom of expression, including by decriminalising defamation and insult.

Appeals to:

Prime Minister

General Prayut Chan-o-cha
Government House
Pitsanulok Road,
Dusit Bangkok 10300,
Thailand
Fax: +66 26182358
E-mail: [email protected]
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister

Minister of Justice

Gen. Paiboon Koomchaya
Ministry of Justice
Government Centre Building A
120 Moo 3
Chaeng Wattana Road Soi 7, Lak Si
Bangkok 10210,
Thailand
Fax: +66 29530503
Salutation: Dear Minister

Please also send copies of your appeals to the Thai Embassy in your country. Contact details for embassies can be found here.