Source: Amnesty International –
Ahead of the witness examination and hearing of activist and conscientious objector to military service Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal on 9 September, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said:
“Netiwit’s refusal to take part in this outdated system should be a wake-up call for the Thai authorities to urgently reform the country’s legal framework to allow for alternative services, in line with international human rights law and standards.
“International law requires countries with compulsory military service to provide alternative, civilian forms of national service. This reform is long overdue in Thailand, where refusing military conscription can result in three years’ imprisonment.
“As a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and a member of the UN Human Rights Council, the Thai government has an obligation to respect and uphold the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and refrain from punishing conscientious objectors. Authorities must immediately drop all charges against Netiwit.”