Human Rights Lawyer Arnon Nampa Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison Under Controversial Lese-Majeste Law
Thailand
On 25 July 2024, Arnon Nampa was sentenced to 4 years detention under Thailand’s controversial lese-majeste law by the Criminal Court. This case is linked to two posts on Facebook about the Thai monarchy that he published in early 2021.
Arnon Nampa is a human rights lawyer and founding member of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). He provided free legal assistance, including representation in litigation, to individuals in vulnerable situations, and in highly sensitive cases.
The lese-majeste law, Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, can be used to criminalize almost any comment about the monarchy or the royal family, thus stifling dissent and discouraging open discussions about the monarchy’s role in the country.
This is the fourth time Arnon Nampa was convicted under Section 112. In his previous three lèse-majesté cases, he was sentenced to 10 years and 20 days in prison on 26 September 2023, 17 January 2024, and 29 April 2024, respectively. Arnon Nampa’s cumulative prison term is now 14 years and 20 days.
Since his first conviction on 29 September 2023, Arnon Nampa has been held in detention in the Bangkok Remand Prison. Lawyers for Lawyers has sent a letter on 29 January 2024 to the Thai Criminal Court in support of the defense and bail application of Arnon Nampa.
Arnon Nampa is also facing ongoing disbarment proceedings before the Lawyers Council of Thailand in relation to a speech he made on 3 August 2020, calling for reform of the monarchy. Lawyers for Lawyers has previously sent letters expressing our concerns about the disbarment proceedings and requesting the dismissal of the complaint motion against Arnon Nampha.
Lawyers for Lawyers remains committed to monitoring Arnon Nampa‘s cases closely, and we will continue to advocate for the protection of human rights and freedom of expression of lawyers in Thailand.