Amnesty International (AI) on Monday urged Thai authorities to drop charges against human rights lawyer Sirikan Charoensiri, who faces prosecution after providing legal assistance to anti-junta student activists. The AI also urged authorities to protect the independence and freedom of lawyers, end the repression of peaceful dissidents, and respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. As she made a legal complaint alleging official misconduct relating to the incident, Sirikan was also accused of filing a false report to police. Sirikan, of the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, represents the student-based New Democratic Movement, which has held peaceful assemblies in opposition to the junta. Some of its members have been arrested.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 14, 2016 18:01 UTC