Dam Onmuang
Dam Onmuang is a land rights defender and member of the Southern Peasant Federation of Thailand (SPFT). The defender has been a strong advocate for community land and natural resources management for marginalised people in Thailand. He has played a vital role in his capacity as the community coordinator in the Santi Pattana community, by taking the lead in negotiating in land disputes with palm oil companies and the authorities, so as to protect and safeguard the community’s guardianship of the land and natural resources.
HRDs most at risk include those who are fighting for economic, social, and cultural (ESC) rights, particularly land rights, and those working in the conflict zone of the border provinces in Southern Thailand. There, violations against human rights organisations take place in a context of widespread impunity for the perpetrators – often government or military officials.
