Thailand: Women human rights defenders at the forefront of pro-democracy protests

WHRDs, including youth under the age of 18, were systematically targeted by both state and non-state actors for their participation in the nationwide protests. Thai authorities actively engaged in repeated attacks against WHRDs through the use of repressive laws and decrees that do not conform to international standards. The Observatory documented the prosecution of 11 WHRDs, including one minor, in relation to their participation in the protests. Four of them were arrested, detained, and released. Some of these 11 WHRDs currently face 10 or more criminal cases.

Authorities also subjected WHRDs and their family members to frequent harassment, intimidation, and surveillance, including by visiting their residences and educational institutions to intimidate them or gather information on their activities. Other abuses were gender-specific: WHRDs reported attacks by state actors, which mostly took the form of verbal abuse and harassment directly aimed at them simply because of their gender and/or their gender expression. This often overlapped with their experience of online attacks and harassment by non-state actors.

They further experienced pressure from their personal entourage as a result of their activism. This disproportionately impacted student, many of whom are dependent on their families. Women activists also faced obstacles within the pro-democracy movement as they, their views, and their contributions were often ignored or excluded by certain parts of the movement itself. Acts of harassment, attacks, and challenges faced by WHRDs can result in chronic stress, burn-out, or issues of self-esteem.