15 July 2011

Call for Somyot's release


Prime Minister Ms Yingluck Shinawatra
c/o Government House
Pitsanulok Road, Dusit District
Bangkok 10300
Thailand
Fax: + 662 282 8631/280 1589/629 8213
Tel. + 662 280 1404/3000

Your Excellency,

I write to inform you of the case of Somyot Pruksakasemsuk and ask you for his immediate release. Somyot was arrested on the 30th April 2011 as editor of the Voice of Taksin magazine and is currently being held at Bangkok Remand Prison, in Bangkok.

Somyot Pruksakasemsuk is a loyal Thai citizen who is strongly committed to Human Rights in his role as an independent journalist and labour activist promoting freedom of speech.
 
We understand that Somyot was arrested on a charge of defaming, insulting and threatening the King, Queen and heir apparent (Section112 of the Penal Code) a charge which he fully denies. He also was not aware that any arrest warrant had previously been issued and strongly denies any claim that he resisted arrest.

We understand that the Criminal Court agreed with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has extended the detention of Somyot without bail, something we believe to be an unacceptable abuse of Somyot's human rights. His case is due for review on the 24th July 2011 and we urge you to intervene and allow him to be released.

Yours faithfully

Political Committe of the Poor - People's Democratic Party 
(KPRM-PRD)

Cc Mr Charupong, general secretary of Pheu Thai party, Dr. Jarupan Kuldiloke, Phua Thai Party MP

No comments: