Migrant workers' advocate sued | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Migrant workers' advocate sued

Published: 5 Mar 2013 at 18.27
Online news:

A Prachuap Khiri Khan pineapple canning company filed criminal defamation charges against a British human rights advocate over treatment of migrant workers by the company.

Natural Fruit Co Ltd, which has headquarters in Pran Buri, claimed that Andy Hall, a British citizen, had damaged its reputation with libellous statements about its relations with migrant workers, according to papers at the website of the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court's website and NGO sources.

Mr Hall, 32, well-known in Thaland although he was reportedly in Myanmar on Tuesday, faces charges under the Computer Crimes Act that carry penalties of up to five years in prison on each count.

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wiseyeti
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Discussion 5 : 06 Mar 2013 at 01.095
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In an opinion piece ("Lost Faces Behind Another Migration Deadline" —BP 18/02/2010), Mr. Hall came across not only as very knowledgeable but as a true humanist as well. Today, he is facing the wrath of Natural Fruit Co Ltd for going public about serious labour and human rights violations which he researched and reported while working as an Associate Researcher at Mahidol University. As the saying goes 'there is no smoke without fire', and that legal action is an attempt on his right to freedom of opinion and expression in the defence and promotion of migrant and labour rights.
More here: http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/21806
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ubuntu
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Discussion 4 : 06 Mar 2013 at 00.304
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Thats kind of like the Kamphangpaet torturer couple suing the little Karen girl for causing harm to their reputation (defamation) and consequentially causing them to spend a lot of money.
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samesame
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Discussion 3 : 05 Mar 2013 at 23.533
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I for one will be encouraging everyone in Europe to boycote and not buy any products this company exports or any company in europe that uses there products.
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nickjam
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Discussion 2 : 05 Mar 2013 at 21.572
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I fear for Mr Hall in this case. Whilst he may have uncovered the abuse of migrant workers, the chance that any will stand up in court and verify his claims are slim at best. I applaud anyone who puts their own liberty and safety at risk to expose wrongdoings of companies but in Thailand this is a particularly dangerous mission.
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siamitude
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Discussion 1 : 05 Mar 2013 at 21.531
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This is how the flawed justice system in Thailand can muzzle advocates of workers' rights... this will only creates a buzz that hopefully will damage further the reputation of Natural Fruits Co Ltd
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