#FreeRatsadon

#FreeRatsadon is the flagship campaign of Amnesty International Thailand, dedicated to supporting human rights activists and providing encouragement to political prisoners. This initiative began 46 years ago, following the October 6, 1976 incident, when Amnesty International called on the international community to urge the Thai government to release political prisoners involved in the October 6 case.

Since the major youth-led political assemblies in 2020, Amnesty International has spearheaded the FreeRatsadon campaign, which has seen the participation of leaders who are activists, youths, and even children detained and charged for peacefully exercising their human rights.

The Human Rights Lawyer Center reports that from July 18, 2020, the start of the youth protests at the Democracy Monument, until December 31, 2023, at least 1,938 individuals have been subjected to legal proceedings due to their involvement in protests and political expression, spanning 1,264 cases (469 of which have concluded). Among these individuals, 286 were minors under 18 involved in 217 cases, along with 448 females and 68 LGBTQ+ individuals.

Throughout 2023, as part of the FreeRatsadon campaign, Amnesty International engaged in various activities aimed at raising awareness, creating safe spaces, inspiring, and standing in solidarity with human rights workers and activists. These activities included writing letters to activists turned political prisoners and submitting petitions urging the government to respect freedom of expression and the rights of detainees.

Campaign Overview:

The public campaign of Amnesty International plays a vital role in the #FreeRatsadon initiative, which was sparked by the major youth-led political assemblies in 2020. The campaign features leaders who are activists and youths, including children who have been detained and charged for peacefully exercising their human rights.

From July 18, 2020, to December 31, 2023, at least 1,938 individuals faced legal actions for their roles in protests and political expressions, across 1,264 cases (469 cases have concluded). If individuals facing multiple legal actions across different cases are counted without deduction, there have been at least 3,939 instances of legal proceedings.

Activists and political protest participants often experience various injustices, such as the denial of bail rights during trial proceedings or poor treatment upon imprisonment. In response, Amnesty International organized two “Take Action” events:

• On September 18, 2023, Amnesty International Thailand called on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to make every effort to ensure that anyone charged with exercising their freedom of expression be unconditionally and immediately released, including dropping charges related to protest demonstrations. They also requested the Department of Corrections to respect detainees' rights and ensure access to adequate and timely medical care, in line with the UN's Mandela Rules for the treatment of prisoners.
• On September 26, 2023, Amnesty International Thailand sent an open letter to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Police General Tawi Sodsong, Minister of Justice, demanding the restoration of bail rights and proper care for detainees, urging the cancellation of charges against individuals exercising their freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and emphasizing the immediate and unconditional release of detainees.

Additionally, on July 18, 2023, a statement was issued calling for the cessation of legal proceedings and the release of activists, children, and youths involved in Article 112 cases, such as Noppasin Treelayapewat, also known as "Sai Nam," a youth activist facing a maximum prison sentence of 15 years for allegedly insulting the monarchy by participating in a fashion show simulation activity at the age of 16.

A Letter to Fellow Citizens Behind Bars:

FreeRatsadon continues to reach out to political prisoners living behind bars, both in the Bangkok Remand Prison and other correctional facilities, by inviting those outside to write letters of encouragement to those within.

Letter writing to prisoners is crucial because the words conveyed through paper letters or online hold significant value for the recipients behind bars. It helps them endure each challenging day and reinforces their determination to persevere.

Amnesty International serves as a model for letter-writing campaigns to prisoners. Recently, various activist groups have adopted this practice, sending letters and postcards to our friends in prison repeatedly to convey solidarity and a shared sense of compassion.

Previously, communication with prisoners often occurred through physical letters, which frequently encountered censorship issues. However, in June 2023, a shift to using Domimail, an online letter application within correctional facilities, improved communication convenience. The first contact via Domimail was made with "Anchan Preelert," and currently, a total of 9 prisoners in political cases communicate through the Domimail system.

"Aunt Anchan," in her late 60s, is serving a sentence of 43.6 years for sharing content, 29

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