Harvard Scholars urge court to allow Netiwit to continue studies as statement defends conscientious objection
As Thai activist, publisher, and consicentious objector Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal faces a trial for refusing to participate in compulsory military conscription, five scholars affiliated with the Harvard Divinity School have written to the Samut Prakan District Court asking it to allow Netiwit to return to Harvard to complete his studies.The letter to the Samut Prakan Provincial Court, dated July 14, 2026, was signed by Chris Berlin, Instructor in Ministry Studies and Pastoral Counseling; Janet Gyatso, Hershey Professor of Buddhist Studies; Charles Hallisey, Yehan Numata Senior Lecturer on Buddhist Literatures; Teddy Hickman-Maynard, Lecturer on Ministry; and Monica Sanford, Lecturer in Ministry Studies.“We write to express support for Mr. Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal and to respectfully request that the Court consider allowing him to continue and complete his studies at Harvard Divinity School,” the letter states.Netiwit joined Harvard Divinity School during the 2025–26 academic year as a Buddhist Ministry Initiative International Fellow. The programme enables people deeply involved in Buddhist communities to undertake coursework focused on Buddhist ministry and encourages exchange between Buddhist students and practitioners in Asia and the United States.The scholars described Netiwit as an exemplary student who performed strongly in his coursework and contributed to the school’s intellectual community.“Throughout his fellowship, Mr. Chotiphatphaisal distinguished himself as an exemplary student, excelling in his coursework while enriching the intellectual life of our community through thoughtful engagement with faculty and students,” they wrote.They also noted that his scholarly interests, particularly in Thai Buddhism, had contributed meaningfully to discussions across the Harvard community.Following his fellowship year, Netiwit was admitted to Harvard Divinity School’s Master of Theological Studies programme for the 2026–27 academic year.The signatories said his admission reflected confidence in his potential to make lasting contributions to the academic study of Buddhism.They clarified that they were writing in their individual capacities, not officially on behalf of Harvard Divinity School, and that they were not taking a position on the legal questions before the court.Instead, they asked the court to consider the wider educational and public consequences of preventing Netiwit from returning to Harvard.“We believe that allowing him to continue his education will enhance his capacity to contribute to the study and practice of Thai Buddhism in ways that will serve his country and the broader international academic community,” the letter states.Meanwhile, a separate international statement organised by Dr. Anushka Kahandagamage, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Divinity School, has drawn 56 signatories from at least 13 countries in support of Netiwit and the right to refuse compulsory military service.Titled "Stand with Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal Against Forced Military Conscription," the statement was endorsed by 56 academics, students, researchers, educators, activists and professionals from countries including Thailand, Sri Lanka, the United States, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Israel and the Netherlands.Its signatories are affiliated with institutions including Harvard University, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, Thammasat University, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, King’s College London, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Melbourne, Tufts University, the University of Pennsylvania, Uppsala University and South Asian University.Among the signatories are James Robson, Professor at Harvard University; Jonathan Makransky, Coordinator of Multireligious Ministry Initiatives at Harvard; Tyrell Haberkorn, Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison; Amy Langenberg, Professor at Eckerd College; Prakirati Satasut of Thammasat University; Stephanie Tabashneck, Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School; and Sasanka Perera, retired professor of the University of Colombo and South Asian University.The statement argues that the central human-rights violation lies not in an individual’s refusal to serve, but in the state’s power to compel that person into military service against their conscience.“The human rights violation is the mandate of service itself, not the individual’s refusal to comply,” it states.The signatories describe compulsory military service as a form of structural violence and challenge the use of national security to justify the removal of individual rights.“If an institution is truly serving the people, it should not need to hunt them down to ensure their participation,” the statement says.It also refers to the principles developed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee concerning freedom of thought, conscience and religion.The signatories argue that Netiwit’s prosecution demonstrates the consequences of Thailand’s failure to recognise conscientious objection or provide a genuinely civilian alternative to military service.They describe his refusal as an act of civil disobedience undertaken in defence of human dignity.“His act of civil disobedience is not a breach of duty, but a courageous defence of the fundamental right to conscientious objection,” the statement says.It calls on Thailand to recognise the right to conscientious objection and argues that doing so could make the country a regional leader in human-rights reform.“By respecting the right to conscientious objection, Thailand has the unique opportunity to lead Southeast Asia in progressive human rights reforms,” it states.Netiwit has long publicly opposed compulsory military service in Thailand, having first declared his refusal to participate in military conscription as a conscientious objector in a statement on his 18th birthday. He has maintained that compulsory military service violates his Buddhist, ethical and political convictions. His trial is thought to be the first trial of a conscientious objector in Thailand.
eng editor 1
Mon, 2026-07-20 - 11:22
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Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal
Conscientious objector
military conscription
