On September 26, 2024, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT), the Freedom Bridge project was introduced under the event theme "Building the Bridge for Freedom." The project aims to provide essential support to political prisoners and their families, who have been affected economically and psychologically due to the imprisonment of family members for political expression. The public is also invited to join in offering this support.
Pathomporn Kaewnoo, a representative from the Freedom Bridge project, outlined the project’s mission, which focuses on three main areas.
1. Providing direct assistance to political prisoners and their families, including food, clean water, essential supplies, and monthly deposits for the political prisoners to ensure they have access to basic necessities to maintain their quality of life while in prison. The project also provides assistance to the families of political prisoners. To deliver this direct assistance, the Freedom Bridge project raises funds through the "Rights for Justice Foundation".
2. Documenting the conditions of current political prisoners, including their quality of life and the impact on their families. This data will be communicated to the wider society to ensure that the assistance provided meets the specific needs of those affected. Additionally, this information is crucial for raising awareness and advocating for greater understanding of political prisoners' rights and their existence in Thai society.
3. Collaborating with partner organizations at the local, regional, and international levels to end political imprisonment and transition towards democracy in Thailand. Current partners include the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw), Prachatai, Engage Thailand, and the Justice in Southeast Asia Lab (JSEALab).
(Pathomporn Kaewnoo: project officer, Freedom Bridge)
Pathomporn maintained that the ultimate goal is for Thailand to have no political prisoners or prisoners of conscience. However, the reality is that many individuals remain behind bars, and numerous families are still suffering from the imprisonment of their loved ones due to political cases. This indicates that Thai society still faces issues regarding rights and freedoms, which are fundamental principles of human rights. Supporting the quality of life and rights of political prisoners, as well as alleviating the impacts on their families during this difficult time, is one way to affirm the principles of rights, freedom, and humanity in Thai society.
"Please do not think that we are just ordinary citizens without power, unable to effect change in the current situation. Freedom Bridge wants to emphasize that there are always ways for the public to continue fighting for a more just society if we actively seek them. Supporting those incarcerated is one pathway to uphold human rights and humanitarian principles. We invite everyone with capacity to join us in this struggle, with love and compassion for fellow human beings facing unjust circumstances. Together, let’s work to improve their quality of life, restore their spirits, and alleviate the impact on political prisoners and their families,” Pathomporn said.
The event featured a keynote speech by Professor Emeritus Vitit Muntarbhorn from the Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, and the United Nations Special Rapporteur. Vitit made five recommendations to alleviate the situation of political prisoners in Thailand: 1.) incorporating universal human rights principles into the Thai legal system, 2.) the state, especially those from an elected government, should refrain from prosecuting citizens who exercise their freedom of expression peacefully, 3.) civil law should be used more than criminal law in cases related to expression and assembly, 4.) opening up space for civil society to engage in expression and assembly, 5.) granting amnesty, which, according to international standards, should come through the parliamentary process.
(A keynote speech by Professor Emeritus Vitit Muntarbhorn)
Moreover, the speech was followed by two panel discussions. This first, titled "In Prison: The Quality of Life of Political Prisoners," featured Pathomporn Kaewnoo, from Freedom Bridge, Phraewphan Philathong, a volunteer lawyer from the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), and Patima, a former political prisoner. The panel was moderated by Purinut Chaiboonleu, a documentation officer from TLHR.
(Panel discussions titled "In Prison: The Quality of Life of Political Prisoners," and “Does Hope Remain? Amnesty for the People")
The second panel, titled “Does Hope Remain? Amnesty for the People", featured panelists Natchanon Phairoj from the Network for People's Amnesty, Assistant Professor Dr. Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, a constitutional law professor from the Faculty of Political Science Chulalongkorn University, Chuwat Rerksirisuk, the third assistant secretary of the Special Committee to Study Proposals for Enacting Amnesty Law, and Chaithawat Tulathon, former leader of the Move Forward Party. The panel was moderated by Orapin Yingyongpathana.
The event concluded with an invitation for participants to write postcards of encouragement to political prisoners.
