UPDATE, 9 January 2018: We warmly welcome the news that the charges against Sulak Sivaraksa have been dropped. Thank you to everyone who joined PEN in lobbying the authorities on his behalf. No further action is necessary.
English PEN is deeply concerned by reports that renowned writer and activist Sulak Sivaraksa is facing trial for violating article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code (lèse majesté) in a connection with a speech he gave at Thammasat University in 2014.
PEN believes that the charges against Sivaraksa are directly linked to his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and calls for the charges against him to be dropped immediately and unconditionally.
For further background information, please visit the PEN International website.
Take action
Spread the word
Share details of the charges against Sulak Sivaraksa with friends and colleagues, in national and local press, and on social media. #SulakSivaraksa
Write to the authorities
Please send appeals
- Calling for the charges against writer and activist Sulak Sivaraksa to be dropped immediately and unconditionally;
- Urging the authorities to amend the Criminal Code to ensure that it meets Thailand’s international legal obligations to protect freedom of expression, including by decriminalising lèse majesté (article 112 of the Criminal Code) and defamation and insult (articles 326-333 of the Criminal Code);
- Urging the authorities not to subject civilians to military court proceedings.
Prime Minister
General Prayut Chan-o-cha
Royal Thai Government
Government House
1 Pitsanulok Road,
Dusit, Bangkok 10300,
Thailand
Fax: +66 (0) 2282 5131
E-mail: [email protected]
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
Minister of Justice
Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana
Government Centre Building A
120 Moo 3
Chaeng Wattana Road Soi 7, Lak Si
Bangkok 10210, Thailand
Fax: +66 29530503
Salutation: Dear Minister