9 March 2016 – 9:00-12:00 at FCCT Bangkok (www.fccthai.com)
Organised by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), the Southern Peasant Federation of Thailand (SPFT), the Community Resource Center (CRC), Amnesty International Thailand, Focus on the Global South, and Protection International
Many human rights defenders in Thailand are systematically targeted. They are persecuted, attacked and, in extreme cases, even killed and made to disappear, because of their peaceful human rights work. It is dangerous to work on the community-level particularly on issues like land rights and environment.
Attacks faced by defenders highlight the lack of effective mechanisms to protect human rights defenders, particularly those operating in rural areas with limited access to resources and remedies. The killing of Mr. Chai in 2015 and other attacks on members of the Southern Peasant Federation of Thailand (SPFT), are not isolated incidents, they are part of a broader patterns of grave human rights violations in the country. These violations are an indicator of the increasing tensions and confrontations between corporations and communities affected by business activities.
In the lead up to the verdict in Mr Chai’s case in mid-March, a panel discussion is being organised on 9 March 2016 to deliberate on the current challenges being faced by land rights defenders in Thailand, and recommend more effective ways to ensure their safety.
This event is being co-organised by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), SPFT, the Community Resource Center (CRC), Amnesty International Thailand, Focus on the Global South, and Protection International.
Speakers:
– Member of Southern Peasant Federation of Thailand (SPFT)
– Ms. Sor.Rattanamanee Polkla, Lawyer, CRC
– Dr. Niran Pitakwatchara, former Commissioner National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
– Mr. Somchai Komgrit, Director of Rights and Liberties, Protection Division Rights and Liberties, Ministry of Justice of Thailand
For more information, contact: Marte Hellema, FORUM-ASIA, [email protected]
