<p>The people&rsquo;s movement against the drafting of laws that undermine freedom of association calls upon the civil court to stop general Prayut Chan-o-cha and other five parties from stifling public assembly.</p>

<p>Declared 2 years ago to combat the spread of Covid-19, Thailand&rsquo;s State of Emergency has resulted in diminished freedom of expression and assembly. &nbsp;It has also been used as grounds for cracking down on pro-democracy protests and prosecuting activists.</p>

<p>11 activists have been charged with violations of the Emergency Decree for joining a protest organized by the People&rsquo;s Movement for Just Society (P-Move), which addressed land rights and community rights.</p>

<p>Community rights activist Khairiyah Rahmanyah, 18, said she received a summons from the Pathumwan Police Station for violating the Emergency Decree and the Sound Amplifier Act.</p>

<p>A year and a half after the protest at the Democracy Monument on 18 July 2020, the youth-led protests have expanded into a popular movement including issues from labour rights and gender equality to religious reform and monarchy reform.</p>

<p>A trip back through 2021 through 15 articles chosen by the Prachatai English editorial team.</p>

<p>An investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) found that police officers have used excessive force during operations against pro-democracy protesters and that there have been many instances of human rights violations.</p>

<p>Amnesty International raised concerns that the new NGO bill could be used to control civil society groups and called on the Thai government to withdraw the bill.&nbsp;</p>

<p>20 protesters and activists have been charged with violation of the Emergency Decree for participating in the <a href="https://prachatai.com/english/node/9583">28 November 2021 rally</a> at the Ratchaprasong intersection to call for marriage equality.</p>

<p>Villagers from Chana District, Songkhla Province, have returned to Ratchadamnoen Avenue to protest against the Chana industrial project after they were <a href="https://prachatai.com/english/node/9597">arrested</a> on Monday night (6 December) while protesting in front of Government House.</p>

<p>The royal defamation law reflects Thai society and is needed to protect the monarchy and national security, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Thani Thongphakdi at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session on Wednesday (10 November).</p>