53 Labor Organizations from 15 Countries in Asia and Across the Globe Condemning the Intimidation of Labor Activists in Thailand
We, the undersigned organizations, condemn the legal intimidation of Suthila Leunkam, Tanaporn Wijan, Sriprai Nonsee, and Sia Jampathong: prominent Thai labor activists who have been subject to legal intimidation and police harassment following their work organizing pro-democracy rallies. Suthila, Sriprai and Tanaporn are former women unionists and leading labor activists while Sia is a garment unionist with political acuity. Their courage and integrity has contributed to the autonomy and strength of the independent trade union movement in Thailand. They have done outstanding work towards bridging the gap between domestic and migrant workers and building labor power in the ongoing pro-democracy movement.
We condemn the blatant violence enacted by riot police against protesters peacefully exercising their freedom of expression in the rallies which occurred in Bangkok between August 1st and 15th. We are gravely concerned about the ongoing practices of arbitrary arrests, detention without due process, and the criminalization of pro-democracy activities by state authorities. According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, 32 protesters were arrested for attending the August 3rd protest, at least 18 people were arrested before and shortly after the protest on August 7th, and at least 64 people, including 16 youth under the age of 18, were arrested between August 10th and 11th. Prominent activists also continue to be denied proper legal representation under the pretense of pandemic precautions.
Background
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, the Thai government has weaponized existing laws to silence dissidents and brutally suppress protests, injuring citizens with impunity. We see this as part of a wider trend whereby the pandemic has been used as an excuse to tighten the grip of dictators across Southeast Asia.
With the mishandling of the pandemic response and corruption allegations surrounding the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines as impetus, protesters recently took to the streets demanding better crisis management to meet the needs of the people. In response, the government used escalating violence to silence protesters, injuring scores of protesters, journalists and bystanders. Moreover, rising numbers of activists have been targeted and harassed by security forces. These include labor activists and leaders of the trade union movement who are voicing the grievances of workers bearing the brunt of this pandemic.
We are joining the growing pro-democracy movement not only in Thailand but across Asia in demanding that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha take full responsibility for corruption surrounding the vaccine, violent suppression of protesters, as well as mishandling of this dire health, economic and social crisis. Prayuth must meet the people’s demands and immediately resign, dissolve the parliament and begin the drafting process for a new constitution.
List of Endorsing Organizations:
- Just Economy and Labor Institute (JELI), Thailand
- The Workers’ Union, Thailand
- SEA Left network, Thailand
- Human Rights and Development Foundation, Thailand
- Peace Way Foundation/Migrant Working Group, Thailand
- Labor Network for People’s Rights, Thailand
- SHero, Thailand
- Sedane Labour Resource Centre (LIPS), Indonesia
- Working People’s Party (PRP), Indonesia
- Indonesian Confederation of United Workers (KPBI), Indonesia
- Sentral Gerakan Buruh Nasional (SGBN), Indonesia
- Konfederasi Serikat Nasional (KSN), Indonesia
- Konfederasi Pergerakan Rakyat Indonesia (KPRI), Indonesia
- Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA), Indonesia
- Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), Cambodia
- BWI Asia Pacific, Philippines
- Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (Solidarity of Filipino Workers/BMP), Philippines
- Center for Trade Union.and Human Rights (CTUHR), Philippines
- SPA, Philippines
- Sentro Publiko, Philippines
- Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), Philippines
- Federation and Cooperation of Cola, Beverage and Allied Industry Union (FCCU-SENTRO), Philippines
- Alliance of Filipino Workers, Philippines
- Partido Manggagawa (Labor Party), Philippines
- LEARN, Philippines
- Timber Industry Employee Union, Malaysia
- Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Malaysia
- Union of Forestry Department Employees Sarawak (UFES), Malaysia
- Sabah Timber Industry Employees Union, Malaysia
- Timber Employees Union Peninsular, Malaysia
- Socialist Youth, PSM Youth Wing, Malaysia
- National Union of Transport Equipment & Allied Industries Workers, Malaysia
- AMMPO MALAYSIA, Malaysia
- Labour Law Reform Coalition, Malaysia
- North South Initiative, Malaysia
- UNI-MALASIA LABOUR CENTER, Malaysia
- CAW, Malaysia
- Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (Friends Of Women Selangor), Malaysia
- International Domestic Workers Federation, Hong Kong
- Asia Monitor Resource Center, Hong Kong
- Korean House for International Solidarity (KHIS), South Korea
- OSAN MIGRANT CENTER, South Korea
- APWSL, South Korea
- Serve the People Association, Taoyuan (SPA), Taiwan
- Migrants International Taiwan Chapter, Taiwan
- Textile Garments Workers Federation, Bangladesh
- Worker’s Initiative – Kolkata, India
- Public Services International, Asia Pacific Regional
- Socialist Alliance, Australia
- Brighi Cecilia, Italia
- Bakone Trade and Workers Rights Center South Africa, South Africa
- FIRST Union, New Zealand
- FETICO, Spain