The protests held in Thailand in recent years have differed from previous regime-critical protests. Since 2020, children of junior high and high school age have been involved in, and in some cases driving, the peaceful protests that have been made to bring about, among other things, educational reforms.
According to Amnesty, almost 300 of these children and young people have been charged with crimes, and some face prison terms for insulting the monarchy.
“Children with their whole lives ahead of them are now facing serious consequences for taking part in peaceful protests,” said Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong of Amnesty Thailand.
In the report, 30 children have been interviewed and many testify to violence in connection with arrests, persecution and intimidation tactics by the authorities.
Amnesty is now demanding that the Thai authorities drop the charges against the children, stop persecution and intimidation tactics, and change the laws that do not meet international human rights standards.