Press Release: Somyot Phrueksakasemsuk must be released on bail

The Observatory made the call on the thirdanniversary of the Bangkok Criminal Court’s conviction of Somyot on charges oflèse-majesté (Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code), on January 23, 2012.Somyot is the Editor of the magazine “Voiceof Thaksin” (Voice of the Oppressed)and a free speech advocate who called for the amendment of Thailand’slèse-majesté laws.

“The Thai judiciary’s determinationto keep Somyot behind bars pending trial as if he were a dangerous criminal isabsurd,” said FIDH President KarimLahidji. “The Supreme Court must immediately order his release on bailunder reasonable and appropriate conditions and expedite the appeal process.”

On November 19, 2014, Somyot filed an appeal tothe Supreme Court against his conviction. Somyot remainsincarcerated in Bangkok Remand Prison pending his appeal. He has been detainedsince his arrest on April 30, 2011. Somyot suffers from gout and hypertensionand is not receiving adequate medical treatment at Bangkok Remand Prison. Courtofficials have denied Somyot’s requests for bail 16 times - the last time onNovember 18.

On September19, 2014, theCourt ofAppeals upheld the Bangkok Criminal Court’s lèse-majesté conviction of Mr.Somyot Phrueksakasemsuk. The court failed to inform Somyot, his lawyer, and hisfamily members that the hearing would take place on that day.

“Somyot’s ongoing deprivation ofliberty is in violation of Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil andPolitical Rights, to which Thailand is a State party, which elucidates theprinciple that release pending trial must be the rule and detention theexception,” said OMCT Secretary GeneralGerald Staberock.

Eleven people, including Somyot, are currently serving prison termsafter being found guilty of violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Inaddition, at least another 16 remain detainedon lèse-majesté charges.

For more information, please contact:

· FIDH:Arthur Manet / Audrey Couprie: + 33 (0) 1 43 55 25 18

· OMCT:Miguel Martin Zumalacarregui: + 41 (0) 22 809 49 24