<p><a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/thailand">Thailand&rsquo;s&nbsp;</a>government in 2020 escalated its repression of basic rights in the face of a growing, youth-led democracy movement demanding political and constitutional reforms, <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/13/thailand-rights-crisis-rapidly-worsens?fbclid=IwAR0r2vNVrc82Edi59BvBR96JO2LEOMd1KKSVvqHEkQsc5F7QuGQj9-OM1_8">Human Rights Watch</a> said on Wednesday (13 January) in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021">World Report 2021</a>.</p>

<p>Representatives of four high school student activist groups tell stories of the harassment and legal prosecution they now face after speaking out about human rights violations they face in school, reiterating that the right to freedom of expression is a constitutional right, while vowing to keep fighting nonetheless.</p>

<p>US Senators Bob Menendez&nbsp;and Dick Durbin, along with seven other senators, introduced yesterday (3 December 2020) a Senate Resolution in support of Thailand&#39;s pro-democracy movement,&nbsp;which have been met with violence and repression from the authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Foreign Correspondents&#39; Club of Thailand (FCCT) issued a statement following the crackdown on the protest at the parliament compound on 17 November urging journalists to take precautions when covering protests and for the authorities to legalise the use of body armour for journalists and paramedics working in conflict areas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prachatai spoke to some of the protesters at Ratchaprasong on 18 November, most of whom said they would like to see the country changing for the better.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.hrw.org/thailand" target="_blank">Thai</a>&nbsp;police unnecessarily used water cannons and teargas against peaceful democracy demonstrators outside the parliament in Bangkok on November 17, 2020, in violation of international human rights standards, <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/11/19/thailand-police-violence-against-democracy-demonstrators">Human Rights Watch</a> said yesterday (19 November).</p>

<p>Thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered at the Ratchaprasong intersection yesterday evening (18 November) before marching to the nearby national police headquarters to demand justice following the police crackdown on the protest at the parliament compound on Tuesday (17 November).</p>

<p>Protesters gathering on the streets in front of the parliament building to demand constitutional amendments on 17 November were met with blockades and riot police, as well as water cannon and tear gas.</p>

<p>The student activist group Nisit Chula Party held a rally last Thursday (29 October) to speak out against the violence committed by the state against dissenting voices and the culture of impunity which means preparators often are never brought to justice.</p>

<p>Rapipat Khamphichai, the lawyer for &lsquo;Mor Lam Bank&rsquo; Patiwat Saraiyaem, released a memo after visiting his client, who is being detained while the investigation into his case takes place.</p>