This morning the Bangkok South Criminal Court indicted British migrant rights activist Andy Hall, who was accused of computer crimes and criminal defamation charges, reports The Nation.
Andy Hall attended court with his lawyers, to defend his case against Natural Fruit Company Ltd., the Thai pineapple company that was subject for Hall’s report with Finnwatch ‘Cheap has a High Price.’
The report exposed labor rights violations at Natural Fruit Company, who retaliated with two criminal defamation charges, a criminal charge under the Computer Crimes Act and two civil defamation actions.
The court has decided to indict Hall, who will now officially face criminal charges and be detained awaiting trial.
EU delegates, and diplomats from the UK, Finland, Netherlands and Denmark were present at the trial.
Defamation attorney’s in Thailand Chaninat and Leeds are experts in successfully handling defamation cases for both Thai nationals and foreigners in Thailand.
Human Rights Watch has previously urged Thai authorities to drop the charges, and released an open letter addressed to the Thai Prime Minister saying:
“Persecuting researchers and whistle-blowing activists who reveal cases of labor exploitation is hardly a recipe for effective work against human trafficking. If Thailand is serious about improving its record in combating human trafficking and proving it takes its human rights obligations seriously, you should act to ensure that such human rights defenders are protected against retaliation, including judicial harassment.”
It goes on to say:
“Further prosecution of the charges against Mr. Hall will damage Thailand’s international image and violate Thailand’s obligations under international law.”
For more on this story see here. Andy Hall’s blog also has details of the case.
View the short documentary Finnwatch made on the report:
