Network of Young Democratic Asians - NOYDA - 【Statement of Solidarity for the Thai pro-democracy protestors and youth’s call for free and fair elections, Call for dropping of charges against #MBK39】 Please scroll down for other languages. 　 We, the Network of Young Democratic Asians (NOYDA), a collective of young pro-democracy leaders and grassroots activists from around Asia, express our solidarity with the pro-democracy activists and movement in Thailand, particularly our friends and comrades Rangsiman Rome and Sirawith Seritiwat together with the other 37 protestors composing the #MBK39. 　 In the last weeks, a series of peaceful protests have snowballed criticising the military junta for corruption, and calling for free and fair elections in Thailand. 　 Last 27 January, protesters gathered at the skywalk near MBK department store in Bangkok, Thailand, to urge the junta to step down and to stop postponing the elections. Shortly after, 39 activists were charged for this exercise of their freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, allegedly in violation of Article 7 of the 2015 Public Assembly Act, which forbids assembly within 150 meters of a royal site, and the National Council for Peace and Order’s (NCPO) Order 3/2015, which bans public gatherings of five people or more. Nine of them were charged with sedition. Again, on 10 February, a protest at Democracy Monument again called on for elections to be held this year and for the military government to step down. Soon after the protest, Rangsiman Rome, with three others, reported to and was detained by the police and military officials in light of an existing case against him and other pro-democracy activists two years ago, related to their Vote-No campaign and pamphleting during the referendum on the then proposed new Constitution. 　 We, in NOYDA, strongly condemn the Thai government’s suppression of democratic rights, and its prosecution of individuals who exercise their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which are enshrined both in the Thai Constitution and in international law. We call on the Thailand military and police officials to drop the charges against the #MBK39 and to cease its persecution of activists and the Thai people in their exercise of these rights. 　 We join the growing calls for the holding of free and fair elections as soon as possible, and for guarantees prohibiting the transfer of power to parties and individuals running on behalf of the military government, in order for the people to fully exercise and realise their right to self-determination. 　 Finally, we express our solidarity to the Thailand pro-democracy movement and the Thai people, especially the youth: we, the young generation, are not just the future, we are also here in the now. So we enjoin you to rise up and let your voices be heard now. We are with you in your struggle. Your fight for genuine democracy and justice is ours as well. 　 #About #NOYDA Network of Young Democratic Asians (NOYDA) is an alliance of committed young individuals and activists in Asia, working to achieve a peaceful, equal, sustainable society through democratic process and people-oriented development. By confronting common challenges, we defend human rights, stand in solidarity with civil society and the oppressed in the region. 　 NOYDA founding members come from ten Asian states, including Burma, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam. 「停止政治檢控抗爭者不要再拖延公平公開的民主選舉」聲援泰國抗爭者之團結聲明亞洲民主青年連線(NOYDA)是一個由亞洲不同國家的年輕民主運動領袖及基層組織者的網絡。是此發表聲明，是要聲援泰國被政治檢控的39位民主運動戰友，特別是我們的朋友Rangsiman Rome 和Sirawith Seritwat。過去一星期，泰國爆發一連串的和平示威，抗議軍隊獨裁兵貪污，以及要求軍方恢復2014軍事政變後，一直拖延的公平公開選舉。上月27日，示威者於曼谷MBK購物商場附近集會，實踐他們合法的表達自由和和平集會的權利，要求軍隊結束軍政府下台及停止拖延大選。39名示威者隨即被控2015年「公眾集會條例」第七條及「國會和平及秩序命令3/2015」，兩條法例分別禁止皇宮150米以內集會、及禁止五人以上集會。39名被捕者當中，有9位再被加控叛亂罪。兩日前，市民再次在市內民主紀念碑出集會，重申軍政府下台和本年內舉行大選的訴求。集會後，Rangsiman Rome 及三位示威者被以他們曾參與兩年前反對修憲的行動為由，被警方拘留。亞洲民主青年連線(NOYDA) 強烈譴責泰國軍政府打壓民主，及無視泰國憲法及國際法賦予市民和平集會及表達自由的權利，政治檢控和平示威者。我們要求泰國軍方及警方撤消MBK39人的控罪，並停止一切政治檢控。我們聲援泰國的戰友要求泰國政府盡快舉行大選的訴求。大選應是公開公平的，不容軍方以任何形式，包括派出傀儡代議士參選，並保障泰國人民能實行自決的權利。最後，我們希望向泰國的民主運動、泰國的市民，特別是年輕一代，送上我們的支持。作為年輕一代，我們將與你一起行動、一起發聲；我們共同克服困難，共同為真民主及公義而戰。

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