Freedom Bridge is an organization established to call for the release of all political prisoners and the restoration of human rights and democracy in Thailand. We aim to serve as a bridge to freedom – of expression, thought, and life -- for political prisoners, their families, and Thai society. We provide direct support to political prisoners and their families, engage in documentation of their specific struggles and challenges, and catalyze dialogue in Thai society about imprisonment and human rights.
Freedom Bridge was formally established in May 2024 after over a decade of sustained but informal support of political prisoners. Freedom Bridge works towards the long-term goal of the release of all political prisoners and an end to political prosecutions and imprisonment in Thailand. Freedom Bridge’s combination of direct support, documentation, and dialogue aims to both contribute to this goal and recognizes the need to support those affected until it is reached.
Freedom Bridge is based in Bangkok and works with network partners throughout Thailand and beyond, including Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), Internet Dialogue on Legal Reform (iLaw), Prachatai, Engage Thailand and the Justice in Southeast Asia Lab (JSEALab).
1. To support political prisoners through both material assistance and ongoing advocacy for their release.
2. To provide financial and emotional support to the families of political prisoners so that their suffering will not be compounded.
3. To document – through Freedom Bridge’s own work and collaboration with relevant stakeholders – the specific rights violations and lived experience of political prisoners both to use in advocacy and to inscribe in history of democratic struggles in Thailand.
4. To expand knowledge and raise awareness in and beyond Thailand about political imprisonment and the broad constriction of freedom of expression and political freedom through dissemination of documentation and analysis, including in English translation when relevant.
5. To work with local, regional, and international partners to end political imprisonment and work for a transition to democracy in Thailand.
1. Provide direct material support for political prisoners and their families, including food and basic necessities for those imprisoned, school fees for children of political prisoners, and other financial assistance as needed.
2. Facilitate access to mental health and occupational training support for political prisoners and their families.
3. Document information about the living conditions and legal struggles of political prisoners.
4. Disseminate writing by current and former political prisoners.
5. Catalyze dialogue in Thai society about political imprisonment, criminalization of thought, and the deteriorating rule of law.
6. Inform the international community about political imprisonment and the ongoing human rights crisis in Thailand.
