Brave rights lawyer Sirikan to get top European award

[rooster59]

Brave rights lawyer Sirikan to get top European award

By THE SUNDAY NATION

 

 

SIRIKAN CHAROENSIRI, a Thai human rights lawyer, has been selected to receive the Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L) Award this year for her “unwavering courage and commitment” in fighting for the human rights situation in Thailand, the organisation said in a statement.

 

Known to her family and friends as “June”, Sirikan, 30, will be the first woman to receive the L4L award, which was announced on Friday. She will accept the award at L4L’s seminar ‘The Voice of Rights’ about lawyers and freedom of expression, hosted by Allen & Overy in Amsterdam on May 19.

 

“Sirikan is a young Thai lawyer who stands up for human rights activists, journalists and people tried after the coup by military courts, even though she is facing considerable risks herself,” the release said.

 

“By giving this award to Sirikan, the jury wants to applaud her unwavering courage and commitment, and draw attention to the human rights situation in Thailand, which is relatively unknown in the West.”

 

Sirikan is a co-founder of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), a lawyers’ collective founded shortly after the military coup in May 2014 to provide legal aid and monitor the human rights situation in Thailand. 

 

As a rights lawyer with TLHR, she gives legal services in high-profile rights cases on a pro bono basis. She acts for the increasing number of individuals facing lese-majeste charges. 

 

She also represents human rights activists facing arbitrary arrest for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and expression and journalists facing arbitrary arrest in the exercise of media freedom by documenting the work of human rights activists.

 

In 2015, Sirikan started representing students from the New Democracy Movement (NDM) who were involved in peaceful protests on June 25, 2015, calling for an end to military rule. 

 

Since then, she has been subject to continual intimidation by the Thai authorities. Within one year, she has been charged with four criminal offences in connection with her professional activities. If found guilty, she could face up to at least 10 years in jail. 

 

A further case was initiated against her by police, under charges of reporting false information – for having filed a complaint of malfeasance in office against police. If convicted, she could face up to a five years in prison. 

 

The L4L award was created in 2011 by Dutch Civil Society Organisation. L4L is an independent and non-political Dutch foundation seeking to promote proper functioning of the rule of law by pursuing independence in the legal profession. The award, worth 10,000 euros, is given every two years. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30311776

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-09

[Raymonddiaz]

A woman with big balls. At least she is trying to fight against our lovely d.........r leaders. When many are hiding cowardly, a woman stands up against them. Congrats Madam! I am proud of you ?.

[Somtamnication]

Yep, great big beach sized balls. But careful, others have disappeared, sadly.

[graemeaylward]

This is fantastic news! This lady is an example to us all. Instead of bemoaning the fact that human rights have been done away with under the current regime, she has stood up to the bullies by defending peaceful protesters and those who otherwise would disappear. Somehow I cannot see the powers that be congratulating her on her achievement. Well done young lady.

Sent from my Lenovo A3000-H using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[darksidedog]

You can tell she is doing a good job because of the amount of spurious cases being filed against her.

Anywhere normal, the police couldn't file a case against you, simply for filing one against them.

I hope she stays out of jail and keeps hammering away, cos God Knows, someone needs to.

[AGareth2]

I hope it helps her in her predicament

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“By giving this award to Sirikan, the jury wants to applaud her unwavering courage and commitment, and draw attention to the human rights situation in Thailand, which is relatively unknown in the West.”

Being a voice of reason and fairness in a place where such things are scarce, her life is probably nothing less than remarkable.  What a brave and brilliant role model for Thailand.  

[ratcatcher]

     

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirikan_Charoensiri

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=SIRIKAN+CHAROENSIRI,&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHrb_xnpbTAhXFv48KHRCPCowQ_AUICCgB&biw=1366&bih=638#imgrc=LTs5wbyEiW0gEM:

[sharecropper]

A very brave woman. I hope she doesn't end up 'hanging herself' in police (or army) custody. The bent scum that run Thailand don't care much for real bravery; it being an alien concept to most of them.

[Thailand]

Likely she will have her passport revoked.

 

Perhaps start working on her prosecution skills for when the tables are turned.

[nausea]

The award gives her a higher profile, which makes it harder to take her out.