The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) called Monday for the immediate release of prominent Thai human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist Anon Nampa, finding that his detention under Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws violates international law. Anon, known for his advocacy of democratic reforms and criticism of the monarchy, is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence stemming from multiple convictions under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code.

Anon’s imprisonment is linked to peaceful protests and social media posts made in 2020 and 2021, in which he called for constitutional changes, government accountability, and reform of the monarchy. The Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced him to consecutive prison terms, citing his statements as damaging to the monarchy and a potential threat to public security. The WGAD found these charges to be in violation of Anon’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as guaranteed under international human rights laws.

The WGAD identified multiple breaches of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including violations of Anon’s rights to liberty, a fair trial, and freedom of expression. It criticized Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws as vague, overly broad, and inconsistent with international standards, highlighting their use as tools to suppress dissent and stifle legitimate political expression.

The WGAD also noted that bail denials were arbitrary and lacked individualized assessments, often relying on generalized concerns such as the severity of the charges and risks of reoffending. Such practices, it stated, violated the principles of proportionality and the presumption of liberty under international law.

Human rights organizations, including the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, and Lawyers for Lawyers have long demanded justice for Anon and have welcomed the WGAD’s findings, reiterating calls for Anon’s unconditional release. They urged the Thai government to amend Article 112 and align its practices with international human rights obligations.

Despite growing international criticism, Thailand has continued to prosecute individuals under lèse-majesté laws. Since 2020, at least 275 people, including children, have faced charges under Article 112, raising concerns about the ongoing erosion of free speech and political freedoms in the country.