“Thailand: Mining Company must withdraw threat of legal actions against community leaders”, 28 October 2014

Defamation charges against community based human rights defenders who exposed alleged human rights abuses by Tungkum Company Limited (TKL) should be dropped immediately, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) said…If convicted…[the two accused] could face imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of…approximately 6,150 USD. Mr. Rujichaiwat and Ms. Hongchai of the Khon Rak Ban Kerd (KRBK) group had alleged that TKL was behind an incident…where unidentified armed men assaulted villagers, burned tents and huts in mining areas, and passed the blame on to the villagers…TKL sued them for defamation claiming that their statements during the interviews had damaged the image of TKL. “The cases of Mr. Rujichaiwat and Ms. Hongchai are emblematic examples of judicial harassment against human rights defenders who reveal and promote accountability for business-related human rights abuses,” said Evelyn Balais-Serrano, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA…