ProtectDefenders.eu has been informed about the sixth and latest conviction and subsequent prison sentence of Mr. Anon Nampa, a prominent pro-democracy activist and human rights lawyer who has been arbitrarily imprisoned since September 26, 2023.
The human rights defender was found guilty under Article 112 (“lèse-majesté”) and 116 (“sedition”) of Thailand’s Criminal Code, and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Mr. Anon will now serve a total of 18 years and eight months in prison for lèse-majesté, in addition to two months and 20 days stemming from two convictions on peaceful protest-related charges, including for violation of the Emergency Decree.
This conviction, together with the five previous ones, stems from Anon Nampa’s activism and open criticism to the Thai monarchy. These actions appear to be solely aimed at punishing him for his legitimate human rights activities and the exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly.
This case is part of a widespread weaponisation of Article 112, the so-called “lèse-majesté”, systematically used to target human rights defenders and repress any form of institutional dissent in the country. In this respect, ProtectDefenders.eu has been informed that between 19 November 2020, and 25 November 2024, 276 people, including many human rights defenders and 20 minors, were charged under Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Fifteen of them are currently detained pending trial or appeal, and nine more are serving prison sentences.
On 14 May 2024, youth activist “Bung” Thaluwang, detained pre-trial under “lèse-majesté”, died in custody after a prolonged hunger strike that ended in April 2024.
