Three detained political activists in third week of hunger strike in weak condition
Eight human rights and democracy organisations submitted an open letter to the president of the Supreme Court on Thursday asking it to release detained political activists and to review court regulations on bail conditions.
The move came as three detained activists continued to weaken as a result of a hunger strike they have been staging to press for the release on bail of political prisoners.
Prakaidao Phurksakasemsuk, manager of the Cross-Cultural Foundation, said there were 16 political prisoners as of Jan 19, eight of whom had been prosecuted under the lese majeste law while the rest are awaiting trial.
Human rights lawyer Somchai Homlaor said pre-trial detention should be reserved for repeat offenders or those charged with serious such as murder. Also, suspects should not be treated as convicts until their cases are finalised.
“These activists do not have the power to threaten their accuser or interfere with evidence,” he told a forum held before the groups visited the Supreme Court.
Sunee Chaiyarot, a former national human rights commissioner, said the hunger strike by Tantawan Tuatulanon and…
