Almost all members of European Parliament passed a joint motion for resolution today on Thailand's human rights situation, with a particular focus on Briton Andy Hall's defamation case brought by a pineapple processor.

The EU called on the Thai government to ensure the rights of Andy Hall and other human rights defenders are respected and protected, and that the protection of human rights is not criminalized.

Andy Hall speaking with MEPs. Photo courtesy of David Martin MEP, via Twitter.

Andy Hall contributed to the Finnwatch report 'Cheap Has a High Price' in 2013 after interviews with Natural Fruit workers who alleged instances of passport confiscation, child labor and payments below minimum wage.

Under Thai law, the case against Hall is classed as criminal and has the effect of disincentivizing the types of corporate social responsibility auditing practices that are common in other countries.

In a statement, the European Parliament expressed regret over the guilty verdict against Hall, who was recently sentenced to a suspended three-year suspended jail term and fined  150,000 baht (US$4,308).

"It (Parliament) welcomes the EU's strong commitment to the Thai people and calls on the Thai government to ensure that the rights, including the right to a fair trial, of Andy Hall and other human rights defenders are respected and protected and that the promotion and protection of human rights are not criminalised," the parliament said.

"The European Parliament recognises the progress achieved by the Thai Government in combating worker exploitation and protecting national and migrant workers and invites it to adopt and implement a "holistic long-term in-bound migration policy for low-skilled migrant workers in accordance with human rights principles"."

The motion was passed with one amendment requesting the EU make consumers and the public more aware of supply chain abuses, Hall said on his Twitter page.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said the ruling against Hall cast a dark shadow over Thailand's labor rights reforms, Reuters reported.

"This verdict sends shivers through Thailand's already nervous human rights and social rights community," Malstrom was quoted as saying.

European Parliament sent strong message to Thai Government/businesses: denial of freedom of expression could have real EU trade consequences

— Andy Hall (@Atomicalandy) October 6, 2016

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand welcomed the EU Parliament's acknowledgment of progress made in the protection of migrant workers, but distanced itself from Hall's case.

"Regarding the case of Mr. Andy Hall, Thailand wishes to reiterate the fact that all of the criminal and civil cases against Mr. Andy Hall were initiated by a private entity against another private entity," the ministry said.

"The Thai Government is not a party to any of these cases and does not have any influence over the judicial process which is independent, separate and distinct from the executive branch.

"The Thai judicial system adheres to the utmost integrity, neutrality and transparency, as well as the principle of non-discrimination, in line with international standards. In this respect, Mr. Andy Hall is fully entitled to the right to a fair trial and he can appeal the court decision."

The ministry said it was committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, claiming it strictly complied with its international human rights obligations.

"Human right defenders in Thailand are also protected under Thai law in the same way as all persons in Thailand, without discrimination," the ministry said.

"We are aware of our duty to ensure that human rights defenders can carry out their work in a safe and enabling environment."

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