UN Urges Thailand: Drop Charges Against Rights Defenders
GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed grave concern over ongoing judicial proceedings against Thai woman human rights defender Pimsiri Petchnamrob, calling on the Government to drop charges against her and other human rights defenders who participated in pro-democracy protests.
“Lèse-majesté laws, with their vague formulation and severe penalties, have no place in a democracy. Their widespread and punitive use to silence dissent, suppress public debate, and intimidate human rights defenders, political opponents, civil society activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens violates Thailand’s international human rights obligations,” the experts said. “We urge authorities to drop the charges against Petchnamrob and all others facing criminal prosecution on similar grounds immediately.”
In November 2021, Pimsiri Petchnamrob was indicted under a total of ten charges, including under Section 112 (lèse-majesté), Section 116 (sedition), and Section 215 (participation in an illegal assembly) of the Criminal Code, for delivering a speech during a peaceful pro-democracy protest in November 2020. Petchnamrob is among at least five human rights defenders who were indicted for delivering speeches at the same protest. Her trial, which began in June 2025, is ongoing before the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, with two additional hearings scheduled in August, followed by the delivery of a judgment.
The experts cited findings from a recent country visit report by the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls. The report noted that at least 470 women human rights defenders have been arrested and prosecuted under Sections 112 and 116 since 2020. “These punitive charges often result in financial hardship, deteriorating health and significant challenges around family care,” they said.
“We reiterate our call to the Government of Thailand to revise and repeal lèse-majesté laws, which have a broad chilling effect on the exercise of rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, leading to a climate of fear and self-censorship,” the experts said. “Public figures, including the highest political authorities, are legitimately subject to criticism.”
“Thailand must stop criminalising individuals who carry out the critical work of defending civic space and human rights,” they said.
The experts have been in contact with the Government of Thailand on these matters, including to express concerns about prosecutions under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/07/un-experts-urge-thailand-drop-charges-against-pimsiri-petchnamrob-and-other