Joint Solidarity Statement - Thailand: Stop Digital Dictatorship Over Online Freedom!

Manushya Foundation and 6 rights groups advocating for online freedom have released a joint solidarity statement calling on the Thai government to end its control over the digital space by attacking media freedom, tech companies and anyone telling the truth about pro-democracy protests online.

In the statement, we affirm our support for and stand in solidarity with Thailand’s brave youth and independent free media as they continue to share their truth, exercise their internationally protected rights online and offline, and fight for democracy in Thailand.

Although the Bangkok Emergency Decree was lifted, concerns remain with the possible use of the Computer Crime Act and Emergency Decree to combat Covid-19.

We condemn the Thai military-backed Government’s attempts to impose a digital dictatorship on the rights and freedom of Thailand’s people and free media to prevent them from speaking out and sharing with the world the truth about #WhatsHappeningInThailand.

Emilie Pradichit, our Founder and Director, was quoted in two articles regarding the Thai government's control over the digital space:

• In Reuters: [About the legal complaints filed by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society against Facebook and Twitter for ignoring requests to take down content] "The complaints are a tactic to scare these companies." - Access the article here

• In Straight Times: "Domestic cyberlaws, their technical requirements and even institutional barriers that are put in place for other purposes such as preventing cybercrimes, protecting against cyber attacks or regulating electronic transactions are instead weaponised by South-east Asian governments to control content shared (and shape) their own narratives." - Access the article here

Partners include: Access Now, ALTSEAN-Burma, Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), the Institute of Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), PEN Myanmar, and SAFEnet (Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network).

Access the Joint Solidarity Statement here