On Sept. 26, 2023, my fellow human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa was imprisoned in Thailand for calling for the reform of the Thai monarchy. He has been behind bars ever since. I had the opportunity to talk to him early last month at the Bangkok Criminal Court, where he appeared for a hearing in one of the remaining three lese-majeste cases he is facing under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code.
This draconian provision punishes with prison terms of three to 15 years whoever defames, insults or threatens the Thai king, queen, heir apparent or regent. Eleven additional lese-majeste cases filed against Arnon have already resulted in 11 convictions and a cumulative prison term of more than 31 years. When I met Arnon in court, he was barefoot, wearing his prison uniform.
I was shocked to see he was being kept ankle-shackled the entire time, a clear form of ill-treatment and a violation of his right to be treated humanely and with respect for his dignity. I briefly spoke with him about his trial and expressed my full solidarity. When he was eventually escorted out of the courtroom to return to prison, he turned to me, and knowing I am from beer-loving Belgium, he smiled and promised me the next time he would meet me in Brussels for a beer.
This rendezvous will likely have to wait many years.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
