Accused of 'defaming the King', Thai trade unionist needs our help today

[Omaha Steve]

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f3995b46c18cb039818f29a32&id=d0bb6cf4a9&e=9baae85844

Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, a trade unionist, activist and journalist in Thailand has been in jail since April 2011 on charges of lèse majesté.



The charges allege that he has defamed the King by publishing two articles in the magazine he edited, The Voice of Thaksin.

Somyot is innocent of these charges, a position supported by expert witnesses and human rights organisations.

An international campaign has been underway for the last 12 months to secure his release, which has included demonstrations across the region and a hunger strike by Somyot's son, Tai, for 122 hours earlier this year.

The campaign is supported by a number of international and national trade unions and human rights organisations, including the IFJ, ICEM, Article 19 and the National Human Rights Commission in Thailand.

Somyot is now in the last week of hearings and we are concerned that a fair trial takes place.

He has been denied bail nine times and is experiencing extraordinarily harsh conditions.

Thai trade unions will hold a demonstration outside Parliament and the UN delegation in Bangkok on the 30th April.

Please support the online campaign here:

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1383&src=lsmm


Meanwhile in Egypt, five oil workers have gone on trial for the crime of ... having gone on strike. Amnesty International has launched a campaign to demand their release. Please take a moment to show your support:

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/egyptstrikers


Finally, this May Day, please give generously to LabourStart's annual appeal. Without the support of you and your unions, we wouldn't be able to run these online campaigns.

Click here to donate securely online: http://www.labourstart.org/docs/en/000002.html

Thank you very much!

Eric Lee


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[snagglepuss]

1. Done. k and r