Campaign Toolkit: Solidarity Week of Action for Ban Sapwai Women Land and Human Rights Defenders 26 June – 3 July 2019 – Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD)

Women land and human rights defenders in Ban Sapwai community, Chaiyaphum province of northeastern Thailand are facing criminal charges and disproportionate fine for defending their land and livelihood. Recently, they were found guilty by Chaiyaphum province Appeals Court of land encroachment and unsanctioned clearing of national park land. The court’s decision upholds the provisions of a discriminatory forest reclamation policy, and disregards Thailand’s obligation to protect peoples’ access to land and to protect women human rights defenders (WHRDs).

The recent crackdown on farming communities dwelling in forest area has been aggravated due to the Junta’s ‘forest reclamation’ policies. While the policies intend to combat climate change, instead of going after big investors and corporations that cause large scale environmental degradation, they are working to displace farming communities.

In this regard, we request your support for Thai women human rights defenders and urge the Government of Thailand to fulfil their its human rights obligations by doing the following:

SIGN OUR STATEMENT

Sign on to the statement to demand Thai Government to drop all charges against the land and human rights defenders of Ban Sapwai and uphold the rights of people’s access to land by 27th June, 6.00 P.M Bangkok Time.

SEND A LETTER

Send the appeal letter to Thai Government, Chaiyaphum Provincial Governor, and Director General of the Forestry Department to demand justice for those criminalised at the following addresses and social media channels:

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha

Government House Thanon Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok 10300

Tel: 02-288-4000

Website: https://ask.prayutchan-o-cha.com/

Facebook: Prayuth Chan-o-cha

Twitter: @prayutofficial

Thanya Netithammakul, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation;

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Address: 61, Phahon Yothin Rd., Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 Thailand

Tel:+6625614293, +6625614292

Fax: 02-9406664

Attaphon Charoenchansa, Director General of the Royal Forest Department,