Finnwatch, the Finnish Civil Society organization who worked with Andy Hall on the “Cheap Comes at a Price” report in 2013, have expressed regret at the latter’s indictment which could result in 7 years behind bars, The Nation has reported.
Yesterday the Bangkok South Criminal Court indicted Hall for criminal defamation and computer crimes, charges brought against Hall by Natural Fruit Co Ltd., the subject for the Finnwatch report.
Finnwatch executive director Sonja Vartiala has criticized the courts decision, claiming it is an assault on human rights:
“To equate someone’s reputation with another person’s liberty is always disproportionate. Thailand should abolish its criminal defamation laws as they infringe on freedom of expression.”
Finnwatch deals with cases on corporate responsibility. Andy Hall contributed research to their report by way of interviews with staff, who expressed their concerns regarding alleged labor rights violations.
Company workers complained to Hall about child labor, long hours, illegal salary cuts, payments below the national minimum wage, confiscation of migrant workers passports and physical violence.
Natural Fruit deny the allegations and are claiming $10 million in damages.
Thai defamation attorneys Chaninat and Leeds are experts in handling defamation cases, both in Thailand and overseas.
A global coalition of 44 human rights, labor and environmental organizations on Friday came together and argued that the Thai government was failing to meet obligations under international human rights law by prosecuting Hall. They signed a letter to the Thai prime minister to express their concerns.
Campaign director for International Labour Rights Forum, one of the organizations involved, said:
“If Thailand is serious about addressing the alarming levels of human trafficking among its migrant worker population, it can’t throw those who uncover abuses in jail.
“Criminal defamation is being used to punish those who speak out, and it’s a contributing factor to the fear among migrant communities that keeps them vulnerable to traffickers.
“It’s time for Thailand to demonstrate it is protecting these workers, not punishing those who speak on their behalf.”
Hall will appear before the court on October 19 to be sentenced.
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