In an unprecedented ruling, a Thai appeals court has sentenced democracy activist Mongkol Thirakot to 50 years in prison. The verdict is the result of 27 Facebook posts that Thirakot wrote three years ago in which he criticized the Thai royal family.
Originally sentenced to 28 years in prison, his sentence was increased on appeal and ultimately reduced from 75 to 50 years due to his cooperation with the court.
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), this is the harshest lese majeste sentence ever in Thailand, where a woman was previously sentenced to 87 years in prison on similar charges, later reduced to 43 years.
One of the strictest laws in the world
Article 112 of Thailand's Criminal Code on lese majeste is one of the strictest in the world. It provides for prison sentences of three to fifteen years for insulting a member of the royal family, although these sentences can be imposed consecutively for multiple charges.
The abolition of this paragraph is one of the main goals of the Thai democracy movement, which led to nationwide protests in 2020. Since then, at least 262 people have been charged under this controversial law, according to TLHR.
Political tensions and future prospects
The conviction of Thirakot and other activists underscores the political tensions in Thailand, particularly in light of the Constitutional Court's upcoming decision on the Move Forward Party and its leading candidate Pita Limjaroenrat. Conservative parties and the royal Senate have so far prevented the Move Forward Party from forming a government, even though it won the most seats in the last parliamentary elections.
The upcoming court ruling and harsh penalties for lese majeste raise questions about the future of the democracy movement and freedom of expression in Thailand. This case highlights not only the rigor of the Thai legal system, but also the ongoing challenges facing activists and civil rights movements in the country.
Questions and answers on the conviction of Mongkol Thirakot
Question 1: What does the Mongkol Thirakot verdict mean for freedom of expression in Thailand?
Answer 1: The draconian punishment for Mongkol Thirakot is a clear signal from the Thai government against freedom of expression. It shows how seriously the country takes the crime of lese majeste and how it is used to suppress criticism of the royal family. The conviction could deter activists and critics and have a chilling effect on freedom of expression in Thailand.
Question 2: What does this condemnation say about the current political situation in Thailand?
Answer 2: The conviction highlights the political divide in Thailand between reformers and conservatives. It shows the willingness of the government and the judiciary to take tough action against critics of the royal family. It also reflects the tense atmosphere in which democratic aspirations and expression face strong resistance.
Question 3: What impact could this condemnation have on the democracy movement in Thailand?
Answer 3: The ruling could both challenge and strengthen the democracy movement in Thailand. On the one hand, it could deter activists and lead to self-censorship, but on the other hand, it could act as a catalyst for increased protests and demands for reform. The movement faces the difficult task of pursuing its goals under an increasingly repressive regime.
Question 4: How does the international community react to such judgments?
Answer 4: The international community has generally been critical of such judgments. Human rights organizations, foreign governments and international bodies often see such judgments as human rights violations and obstacles to democratic developments. But there are also cases in which economic and diplomatic interests influence the reactions of individual states.
Question 5: Is there hope for a reform of the lese majeste law in Thailand?
Answer 5: Although calls for a reform of the lese majeste law in Thailand are strong, particularly among young people and the democracy movement, implementation remains uncertain. The current political landscape and the influence of conservative forces make a short-term change unlikely. In the long term, however, growing pressure and ongoing protests could lead to changes.
Conclusion
The conviction of Mongkol Thirakot highlights the challenges facing activists and civil rights movements in Thailand. It is a clear example of how political power and laws can be used to suppress opposition and restrict freedom of expression.
While the future remains uncertain, it is important that such cases continue to receive attention and discussion to raise awareness of the importance of human rights and democratic principles.
Source: FAZ
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )