Local EU Statement on the increasing misuse of criminal defamation laws in Thailand

EUROPEAN UNION
DELEGATION TO THAILAND
Press Release

Local EU Statement on the increasing misuse
of criminal defamation laws in Thailand

The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in
agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Thailand
Bangkok, 14 November 2014

The EU is committed to promoting and
protecting the freedom of opinion and expression worldwide.

The EU
Delegation wishes to express its concern over the increasing misuse of
criminal defamation laws in Thailand. The EU believes that defamation
laws should not be misused to censor criticism and debate concerning
public issues as this constitutes a serious threat to Freedom of
Expression.

Recent cases brought against Human Rights Defender Andy
Hall, journalists Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian from the
“Phuketwan” newspaper, and the freelance journalist Andrew Drummond,
have served to demonstrate how criminal defamation laws are
vexatiously used to silence freedom of expression and investigative
journalism in the country.

The EU would like to appeal to State
authorities to fully abide by their international obligations.

As part
of wider reform in Thailand, we urge the National Reform Council to
address this issue, so that criminal defamation laws cannot in the
future be used as a means of silencing legitimate analysis or debate.

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For further information please contact Kullwadee Sumalnop, the
Delegation of the European Union to Thailand:
kullwadee.sumalnop@eeas.europa.eu;
+66 (0) 2305 2644