JOINT SOLIDARITY STATEMENT - THAILAND: STOP DIGITAL
DICTATORSHIP OVER ONLINE FREEDOM
#StopDigitalDictatorship
#WhatsHappeningInThailand
25 OCTOBER 2020
On 25 October 2020, Manushya Foundation, Access Now, ALTSEAN-Burma, Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), the Institute of Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), PEN Myanmar, and Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) 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 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 the 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.