Drop the Charges Against Andy Hall Now
- by: Walk Free
- recipient: Trakul Winitnaiyapak, Attorney General
"This is about persecution. It's a political case to try and silence me… I'm someone that's revealing things that the government and the industry don't want me to reveal." – Andy Hall[1]
Human rights activist Andy Hall will soon find out if he faces time in prison for reporting on labour rights abuses in the Thai pineapple industry. In 2013 a report including some of his research was published which included allegations of worker abuse and slavery-like practices in the Natural Fruit factory, a Thai company that processes pineapples and supplies retailers around the world.
Instead of looking into the allegations, Natural Fruit targeted Andy. He was hauled into court on charges of computer crime and criminal defamation.
Despite an international outcry, Natural Fruit have not backed down.[2] We now need to call on the Thai government to do the right thing and ensure that all charges against Andy Hall are dropped.
The Thai authorities are already facing global scrutiny for not doing enough to protect workers from abuse — the latest US Trafficking in Persons report gives Thailand the lowest score for action to tackle trafficking.[3]
Andy's trial is due to start on 19 October – so we don't have long to make a difference in this case. Please show your support for Andy and migrant workers that remain vulnerable to modern slavery in Thailand: take action to demand that these charges are dropped now.
"This is about persecution. It's a political case to try and silence me… I'm someone that's revealing things that the government and the industry don't want me to reveal." – Andy Hall[1]
Human rights activist Andy Hall will soon find out if he faces time in prison for reporting on labour rights abuses in the Thai pineapple industry. In 2013 a report including some of his research was published which included allegations of worker abuse and slavery-like practices in the Natural Fruit factory, a Thai company that processes pineapples and supplies retailers around the world.
Instead of looking into the allegations, Natural Fruit targeted Andy. He was hauled into court on charges of computer crime and criminal defamation.
Despite an international outcry, Natural Fruit have not backed down.[2] We now need to call on the Thai government to do the right thing and ensure that all charges against Andy Hall are dropped.
The Thai authorities are already facing global scrutiny for not doing enough to protect workers from abuse — the latest US Trafficking in Persons report gives Thailand the lowest score for action to tackle trafficking.[3]
Andy's trial is due to start on 19 October – so we don't have long to make a difference in this case. Please show your support for Andy and migrant workers that remain vulnerable to modern slavery in Thailand: take action to demand that these charges are dropped now.
Sources
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAvXe6TjdPE
2. http://www.walkfree.org/andy-hall/ 3. http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/tip2015statements.html
Dear [decision maker],
I am deeply concerned about the charges brought by Natural Fruit against human rights activist Andy Hall.
Instead of addressing allegations of worker abuse and slavery-like practices in their factory, Natural Fruit have tried to silence and intimidate him. Workers and labour rights advocates in Thailand must be able to speak out freely about abuse or unsafe working conditions - this case sends a dangerous message that undermines this right.
I call on you to do everything in your power to ensure these charges are dropped before 19 October when the trial against Mr. Hall for allegations of computer crime and criminal defamation will begin.
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
Alex
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