Thank you for helping me

    

Dear "el dispreciau":
My name is Andy Hall. I am writing to thank you for your support on the Walk Free campaign highlighting my case.¹

I’ve been living in Thailand as a labour and migrant rights researcher and activist for the last 10 years. Because of my work and activism, I’ve been witness to a myriad of abuses suffered by migrant workers in the country. These men and women travel to Thailand in search of a better life, but instead too often find themselves subject to the worst kinds of human and labour rights abuses.

I know Walk Free has told you about the multiple cases that Thai company Natural Fruit has brought against me,² and I wanted to tell you in my own words why I am refusing to back down and why your support is so important to me.

By standing up to Natural Fruit, I want to show that the treatment of human rights activists in Thailand must change. I owe it to migrant workers and fellow activists in Thailand, who I have encouraged not to be scared and to fight fully for their rights for over a decade now. I could leave Thailand at any time to escape the charges against me, but my conscience and commitment would never allow me to do this.

People ask me all the time why I continue to fight these cases rather than returning to the UK. I tell them this is not just about me. It’s about the other Thai and migrant activists who face the same sort of legal harassment but who lack a voice to challenge injustice. It’s about showing solidarity with migrant activists across the world who every day are facing challenges even more serious than mine.

As a British citizen, my case has received a level of international recognition that Thai or other migrant campaigners do not receive. I want to use this publicity to bring attention, not just to my case, but to others that suffer the same discrimination silently.

That is why I am writing to you. If together we make enough noise, we can help pressure the Thai government to reform their treatment of human right activists and seriously consider how poorly drafted laws can be abused and used to limit freedom of expression. Please help spread the word about my case by sharing this blog written by Joanna from Walk Free.

In January I am returning to court to be charged for criminal defamation and computer crimes. I will plead not guilty.

In gratitude and appreciation,

Andy Hall

¹ http://www.walkfree.org/drop-the-charges-against-andy-hall-now/
² http://www.walkfree.org/drop-the-charges-against-andy-hall-now/