Final push to free Somyot
The verdict of Somyot’s trial is expected on December 19th. We have just a few weeks to show international support to help to free Somyot Prueksakasemsuk from arbitrary detention. Let your voice be heard and take part in our global Facebook photo action!
To support Somyot, we are creating a visual petition. Your input will be send to the Thai authorities. You can take part!
- Write "Free Somyot" on a piece of paper or on your palm or download a poster from Facebook in various languages
- Take a photo of yourself holding the poster/ your palm with the words clearly showing
- Upload the photo to the Free Somyot Facebook Page
- You could then make your photo your Facebook profile picture and encourage your friends to take part too.
Every photo counts and will help to support Somyot in his struggle for justice, and to uphold freedom of expression for everyone in Thailand.
Somyot, a Thai labour activist, human rights defender and magazine editor, has been in detention since April 2011, awaiting trial under the Thailèse-majesté law* (Article 112) for the publication of two articles deemed insulting to the monarch. He faces up to 30 years in prison.
Last month, we visited Somyot in prison. Read what Somyot says about his prison life, the books he likes reading and the souvenirs of plastic replica's of prison food visitors can buy.
* Thailand’s lèse-majesté law prohibits any word or act, which “defames, insults, or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent, or the Regent”. This law places the country in contravention of its international legal obligations to uphold international standards of freedom of expression.