24 June Democracy Group – Workers Union
46/428 Kosumruamjai road,Donmuang District, Bangkok 10210
December 10, 2024
Subject: Protecting Human Rights in Thailand: The Government Must Grant Amnesty for Section 112 Cases and Protect Platform Workers
To: The United Nations Human Rights Council
Between 2014 and 2023, the authoritarian government of General Prayut Chan-o-cha committed severe human rights violations. Over 300 political refugees fled the country, with at least nine individuals forcibly disappeared. In 2020, students, citizens, and activists called for the democratic reform of the monarchy, only to face harsh suppression by the government. This included the enforcement of Section 112, or the lèse-majesté law, which curtails freedom of expression. As of November 24, 2023, 276 people have faced 308 charges under Section 112 related to political expression and assembly, with 41 political prisoners currently detained. Of these, 26 are charged under Section 112 and have been denied bail, while 17 others have already received convictions.
Section 112 is not only a violation of people’s freedom but also denies the accused access to adequate legal remedies and bail rights. For example, Anon Nampa, a human rights lawyer advocating for democratic reform of the monarchy, was prosecuted under Section 112, denied bail, and currently detained for one year and two months. During his trial, Mr. Anon requested the court summon witnesses regarding the monarchy as evidence for his defense, but the court refused. His detention and those of others under Section 112 amount to arbitrary detention, violating their right to a fair trial and undermining the fundamental right to freedom of expression. These rights are enshrined in Thailand’s Constitution and international human rights laws, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Thailand is a party.
A coalition of human rights organizations under the People’s Amnesty Network has collected 35,905 signatures and submitted them to Parliament, calling for amnesty for those who fought for freedom and democracy since the 2006 coup. This includes granting amnesty for all cases under Section 112, which is critical for improving Thailand’s human rights situation. However, the government has refused to grant such amnesty for Section 112 cases.
In addition, there are severe violations of labor rights. The Workers’ Union has reported exploitative practices in public sector employment through outsourcing and subcontracting, including the employment of more than 70,000 contract teachers. Previously hired under annual contracts, they are now subject to subcontracting arrangements, similar to outsourced cleaning staff in government agencies. This undermines workers’ rights. Similarly, platform workers, such as 400,000 riders, face unsafe working conditions, excessive hours, and a lack of labor protections. They are unable to unionize or negotiate for better working conditions. The Thai government has yet to ratify ILO Conventions No. 87 (Freedom of Association) and No. 98 (Right to Collective Bargaining), leaving Thai labor laws inadequate to protect workers’ human rights. From 2015 to the present, 1,371 union activists have been dismissed or prosecuted on various charges.
It is deeply shameful that Thailand, as a member of the Human Rights Council, continues to witness such dire human rights conditions. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra celebrated Thailand’s election to the Council for the term 2025-2027, pledging to uphold human rights standards and ensure no one is left behind. However, her government has failed to honor these commitments by excluding Section 112 from amnesty efforts and ignoring labor union demands to ratify ILO Conventions 87/98. Meanwhile, political parties advocating for Section 112 reform have been dissolved, with their members disqualified from politics.
We, therefore, urge the United Nations Human Rights Council and the international community to take urgent measures, including incorporating human rights conditions into international trade and investment negotiations, to compel the Paetongtarn government to:
- Enact an amnesty law that includes Section 112 to release all political prisoners.
- Amend Section 112 to ensure freedom of expression.
- Ratify ILO Conventions No. 87 and 98 and revise labor laws to protect workers’ human rights.
- Abolish exploitative subcontracting and ensure fair treatment by employing contract teachers and cleaning staff as permanent employees.
- Eliminate discriminatory employment practices that create inequality among workers.
Yours sincerely,
Somyot Pruksakasemsuk– Poonsit ngamrit
For more information, please contact: 065-557-5005 or somyotfreedom@gmail.com
ประกายไฟ 