Conference Dec 8-10 on the safety of environmental defenders
Conflicts around natural resources are globally on the increase. In many countries, environmental defenders suffer severe threats and assaults. To counter these alarming developments, IUCN NL, Protection International, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a three-day event, to be held from 8 to 10 December in The Hague. “The aim is to […]
Thailand: Community-based human rights defenders in court
Thailand, 30 October 2014- On 29 October the case of Human Rights Defender Surapun Rujichaiwat versus Tungkum Limited (TKL) (Case No: Aor 4471/2557) came before Judge Suttitam Ratanasaenyaakornupaap and Judge Watcharapon Maaisawat at the Phuket provincial court complex. Surapun Rujichaiwat is one of two human rights defenders who is facing charges. Mr. Rujichaiwat and fellow HRD Ms. Porntip Hongchai have both been […]
NCPO interferes in Loei communities’ conflict with gold mining operator TKL
August 8th, 2014. Loei Province, Thailand Despite increasing pressure from military occupation and serious security threats, the community-lead group Khon Rak Ban Kerd (KBRK) continues to seek justice for damage caused by gold mining operations of the company Thung Kham Limited (TKL) in Thailand’s Loei province. Military not working in the interest of the community […]
A call to the Human Rights Community to observe court trials against HRDs in Thailand
August 9th, 2014. Loei, Thailand After months of rising tension and serious security threats, some 33 villagers from communities of Thailand’s Loei province are now facing potential judicial action in 7 lawsuits filed by gold mining operator Thung Kham Limited Company (TKL). On July 29th, a Loei court accepted the lawsuits and decided to proceed […]
Villagers in Loei province unify demands against increasingly perilous gold mining activities
Under rising tensions and increased security concerns, a public hearing was held last Friday 18 July in Loei province, North Eastern Thailand to collect testimonies and demands from members across 6 villages badly affected by gold mining operations of the company Thung Kam Co Ltd. Held by the community-lead group Khon Rak Ban Koed (KRBK), […]
THAILAND: PI BRIEFS EU DIPLOMATS ON THE SITUATION IN LOEI PROVINCE
Protection Desk-Thailand (PD-Thailand) was invited to brief European Union diplomats on the situation of human rights defenders at risk in Loei province in North Eastern Thailand, where local communities and their leaders work to protect the environment and their health from the negative effects of mining and to uphold their community’s agricultural practices. In Loei violence has escalated […]
Thailand: Human rights organizations make global call to action on community land rights dispute
NGOs call upon the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the EU for a more active role 4 September 2014. Bangkok, Thailand 10 Human rights organizations have signed a joint statement calling for action of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the European Union, and the National Human Rights Organisation. They call upon […]
Protection Manual for Community-based Human Rights Defenders (2013)
The manual addresses key concepts linked to the legal and physical protection of community-based human rights defenders living and working in remote areas. It also raises awareness of the existence of risks associated to their work, while providing security tools and protection strategies developed by Protection International. In an attempt to reach out to community-based defenders, the 70-page […]
Protection International Participates in Project to Promote the Protection of Defenders in Osce/odihr Countries
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has recently embarked on an ambitious project to promote the effective protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) in its 57 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America. Protection International (PI) was invited along with 24 other […]
Indonesia Update: Presidential Tug of War threatens the human rights movement
When the Suharto regime was toppled by the student movement and the effects of the 1997 Asian economic crisis, Indonesia entered an era of democratic transition, known as the Reformation (reformasi). The transition has not always gone smoothly and former rulers from the so-called New Order regime under Suharto, many of whom were responsible for […]