The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organizations Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) and Union for Civil Liberty (UCL) call on Thailand’s Constitutional Court to dismiss the petition to dissolve the Move Forward Party (MFP) to ensure compliance with the country’s obligations under international human rights law.

A representative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has been detained for six hours and deported on arrival from Hong Kong to monitor the trial of publisher Jimmy Lai, who is currently facing possible life imprisonment for "endangering national security," and meet with local journalists. RSF noted that this action by the Hong Kong authorities is unprecedented for its representatives and marks a new decline in press freedom in Hong Kong.

Following the Thai government's decision not to deport 19 children from Myanmar who were taken from Wat Sawang Arom School in Lopburi and brought without their parents to the Thai-Myanmar border in Chiang Rai, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the Thai government to allow all Myanmar refugees to remain in Thailand as long as the human rights situation in Myanmar remains dire. Thailand should also provide protection and support to all refugees, including by permitting UNHCR to undertake refugee status determination.

The Thai Constitutional Court will rule on a petition that could result in the dissolution of the Move Forward Party, which won the largest number of seats in the May 2023 general election, and the disqualification of its leaders. Human Rights Watch (HRW) says that dissolving the party would violate its members' rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and democratic participation, and would undermine Thailand's effort to restore democratic rule after years of military dictatorship. it would also affect Thailand's standing as a "generally rights-respecting" country and concerned governments should withdraw support for Thailand's bid for the UN Human Rights Council if the party is dissolved.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation, a South Korea-based foundation established to remember the spirit of democratic struggle and solidarity during the 18 May 1980 uprising in South Korea, issued a statement today (3 April) demanding the release of activists Anon Nampa and Sirapob Phumpheungphut, both of whom are detained pending appeal on a royal defamation charge.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls on the Thai Senate to promptly pass the Marriage Equality bill, which was approved by an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives yesterday (27 March), noting that passing the bill is an opportunity for Thailand to match its positive global reputation on LGBT rights with tangible legal protections.

UN experts said today (25 March) that they are alarmed by the royal defamation sentences against human rights lawyer Anon Nampa. They called on the Thai authorities to overturn Anon's conviction and drop the remaining charges against him and others facing prosecution. The Thai authorities must also bring the Criminal Code in line with international human rights standards and release those sentenced for exercising their rights to freedom of expression.

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF), and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) urge Cambodian authorities to implement without delay the recommendations made by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) to address and resolve cases of enforced disappearances in the country, including that of Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit.

Thailand must reveal the fate and whereabouts of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit who was forcibly disappeared 20 years ago, UN experts* said today (11 March).

As the 20th anniversary of lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit's disappearance arrives without justice or truth for his family, Amnesty International Thailand's regional researcher Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong says cases of enforced disappearance in Thailand highlights its culture of impunity and calls on the Thai authorities to take steps to ensure accountability and redress for all victims of enforced disappearance before seeking a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.

After the body of jailed Myanmar journalist Myat Thu Tun was found buried, reportedly marked with gunshot wounds and signs of torture, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the international community to take action to force the Myanmar junta to cease its "campaign of terror" against reporters and release detained journalists and press freedom defenders.  

Following the arrest of Nutthaphol Meksobhon, a Prachatai reporter, and photographer Natthaphon Phanphongsanon, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a statement calling for the Thai authorities to drop the charges against them and to end harassment of journalists.