Children and young people across Thailand are taking a risk by standing up for their rights and leading mass protests, despite a ruthless crackdown by the authorities. At least 286 children have been targeted with criminal and civil charges for their peaceful activism in the past two years. Despite the alarming repression, there\u2019s a movement of determined young people who won\u2019t give up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here, 18-year-old Anna reveals the battles she faces as a young human rights activist\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing up, I struggled with Thailand\u2019s strict education system. As a girl going to high school, my hair had to be a certain length. I wasn\u2019t allowed to colour my hair and my socks had to be a certain height. Living in a middle-class household, expectations were high. I studied seven days a week so I could attend a good school and go to university. <\/p>\n\n\n
Why couldn\u2019t we have a fair election, I wondered?<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
It was frustrating to adhere to so many rules and regulations from a young age and it made me want to change things. When I was 11, the news was flooded with activists calling for a democratic election as we were under a coup. Why couldn\u2019t we have a fair election, I wondered? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the time I reached high school, a military government was in place and censorship was rife. Determined to make a difference, I joined a youth group. \u201cBad Students\u201d<\/em> started in 2020, as a place to talk about student rights and support kids experiencing difficulties. Now we are campaigning for change, creating a book on how to survive high school and calling for human rights education to be included in the school curriculum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If students are feeling helpless or frustrated with their situation at school, the group provides a safe space to share their feelings in person or online. From there we advise them on where to seek support. In cases involving violence, we contact the Ministry of Education or an NGO. Students deserve to enjoy human rights, rather than be at risk of abuse. There are few protections in place for children at school and it\u2019s our responsibility to help them where we can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Student suicides <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One student told us how their teacher cut their hair in front of everyone, embarrassing the child in front of their peers. For some, the consequences and shame of being unable to adhere to the school\u2019s strict standards have been so traumatic that they have committed suicide. <\/p>\n\n\n
In total, three children have committed suicide this year because of how they\u2019ve been treated within the school system.<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
These excessive and scary rules are down to the military, as well as the Thai school system. I understand the importance of a uniform, but it\u2019s gone too far. If it\u2019s cold, students aren\u2019t allowed to wear a coat, while others can\u2019t afford uniforms. And if students fail to meet these standards, punishments are harsh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In total, three children have committed suicide this year because of how they\u2019ve been treated within the school system. It\u2019s so sad. In protest, a 15-year-old girl decided to take a stand and dye her hair in honour of another student who committed suicide after being shamed and punished by their school for failing to conform with school regulations on haircut. She was expelled. So many students have no hope as school is a scary place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Targeted by authorities <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve been one of the lucky ones. As I was an activist and vocal about the situation, teachers just left me alone. And while some teachers fear our work, others have supported us, asking how they can be better teachers and encourage more children in class. Still, I often felt pressure to spend days and nights studying hard when I\u2019m not pursuing my activism because I don\u2019t want to let my family down. <\/p>\n\n\n
At the end of the day, I am just a teenager and it\u2019s scary to live my life this way. <\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
I\u2019ve experienced many of these difficulties first-hand \u2013 I\u2019ve been forced to cut my hair. I\u2019ve been targeted by authorities and harassed by police for my work as an educational activist. I\u2019ve been arrested, detained and placed on a watchlist, where authorities now follow me to school and wait outside my apartment. I\u2019ve been deemed a security threat because I have dared use my voice. They even have a file on me and my family. At the end of the day, I am just a teenager and it\u2019s scary to live my life this way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I try not let my fear get the better of me and I seek support from NGOs, such as Amnesty International, where possible. In fact, earlier this year, I was invited to Vienna and Geneva to meet other young human rights defenders and share what life is like in Thailand. It was great to meet other student activists who also face risks every day, but it was challenging to share the problems I face as life is so different for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Accepting my activism <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s been difficult for my parents to accept my activism. They\u2019re slowly starting to support me a little bit more, but I wouldn\u2019t say they\u2019re proud of me yet. I\u2019ve chosen a different route. <\/p>\n\n\n
There\u2019s nothing that can stop me standing up for my rights. <\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
Standing up for your rights in Thailand is hard and there\u2019s little protection in place for activists. I\u2019ve heard stories of political activists who mysteriously disappeared when they were in exile. Then one day they were found to have been encased in concrete and drowned in a river \u2013 I don\u2019t want to meet the same fate. Still, there\u2019s nothing that can stop me standing up for my rights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moving forward, the best hope for young people is a new government. It\u2019s hard to keep up the fight when change is so slow, but I am determined to finish my law degree so I can work for a human rights organisation like Amnesty International \u2013 they have been pivotal in my work as a young human rights defender and I\u2019d like to be able provide the same support to others one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone, including children, has the rights to speak out and protest peacefully.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CALL ON THE THAI GOVERNMENT TO END THEIR CRACKDOWN ON CHILDREN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ACT NOW<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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