An important figure in Thailand’s pro-democracy movement was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison for lese majeste, under a divisive law that younger generations are calling in vain for reform.
Anon Numpa (also spelled Arnon Nampa), a 39-year-old lawyer, was being prosecuted for a speech he gave in 2020 in front of the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, at the height of massive protests demanding an overhaul of the monarchy.
This verdict is part of the tensions which divide Thailand, where the military-royalist establishment, self-proclaimed guardian of traditional values, faces the rise of a progressive camp eager for change.
Pro-democracy activists are calling in particular for the removal of the lèse-majesté law – which protects the powerful royal family – despite the risk of being prosecuted under this text which they consider too harsh and out of control.
Article “112”, as it is known in Thailand, punishes up to fifteen years in prison for any insult aimed at the king or his family. Its use has been diverted to target political opponents, human rights organizations have denounced.
Anon Numpa was convicted on the first of fourteen lese majeste charges against him. He must also pay a fine of 20,000 baht (520 euros) for violating the state of emergency then in place to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
His lawyer said after the verdict that they would likely appeal.
“It is a sacrifice of my freedom that I am ready to assume,” explained the activist when arriving at court, accompanied by his partner and their child.
“We have seen a lot of changes in Thai politics since the 2020 movement… If I am sentenced to prison today (Tuesday), it would be for many years but it would be worth it,” he continued.
In front of journalists, he made the three-fingered salute borrowed from the “Hunger Games” films, and reinterpreted by activists as a sign of defiance against royal authority.
Dozens of activists supported the lawyer in court.
It’s “a long prison sentence for exercising your rights”, reacted Andrea Giorgetta, of the International Federation for Human Rights (Fidh, non-governmental organization).
“It is certainly a dark day for justice,” he said.
Since the outbreak of pro-democracy protests, more than 200 people, including minors, have been accused of violating the lèse-majesté law.
More than 1,800 people were also prosecuted for their participation in the movement, said Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong, researcher for Amnesty International.
“These accusations are the shameful legacy of the previous government (dominated by the generals, editor’s note) which must be resolved by the new government (…) Today’s verdict (Tuesday) is new proof that space for freedom of expression in Thailand is disappearing,” he said.
Removing Article 112 was one of the flagship promises of the pro-democracy Move Forward party which won the legislative elections last May. Move Forward also spoke out for other demands of the 2020 protests, such as the writing of a new Constitution and reform of the army.
But the progressive formation was pushed back to the gates of power by the Senate controlled by the army which rejected its program deemed too radical, particularly on the question of “112”.
The new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, at the head of a broad coalition including pro-army movements, assured before her inauguration that she was not going to touch lèse-majesté.
09/26/2023 08:55:57 – Bangkok (AFP) – © 2023 AFP