Statement

Demanding that Thai Society

 Join to protect their own and others' Rights and Freedom

After the coup on 19 September 2006, many people had expected that the situation concerning the rights and freedom of opinion expression in Thai society may become better. During the period of 5-6 years in which the Thai Rak Thai government led by Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra administered the country, the rights and freedom of the media, the rights and freedom of the people and our human rights were severely violated. Now, 10 months later, the situation clearly indicates the exercising of state power to control, deprive and obstruct the rights and freedom of people who have a different political opinion. This has increased more and more and become a serious issue.    

The Campaign for Popular Media Reform (CPMR) and the Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) consider that, certainly, under the present situation the mass media and the people who opposed the Thaksin administration obviously have more freedom. However, there is in fact an increased restriction of freedom, whether it is the freedom to perceive all-round information or the freedom to openly express opinion and thoughts of people who have a different political opinion, whether supporters of Thai Rak Thai party or Thaksin Shinawatra, those opposing the National Security Council (NSC) and the coup, those demanding democracy, those with different political opinions, or those who have not taken any position as their political standpoint.

The following phenomena are a part of the deprivation of the people's rights and freedom of expression in the past period.  

1. An attempt to obstruct political manifestation and free expression by opponents of the coup, particularly the movement of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship. For example, the case that the Army exercised undue power to arrest Sombat Boonngam-anong and without a warrant to contact any person during the nighttime; the political persecution against the leaders of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship who lead the manifestation; the interception of people's movements in the provinces; and the exercising of Martial law in 35 provinces.      

2. The obstruction of those campaigning against the Referendum and the Draft Constitution by many means such as arrest for flyer distribution, prohibiting campaign posters, or not providing an opportunity to the state media (television - radio) to open an area of expression for opponents, which is equivalent to that of the supporters of the Constitution, so that this helps the people make a balanced decision.      

3. Legal action against Asst. Prof. Boonsong Chaisinghanon, a lecturer at the Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University, with lese-majesty for setting examination questions about the subject of Thai Civilization since the questions were designed to make students analyze the status of the King in Thai society. Moreover, Asst. Prof. Boonsong Chaisinghanon was ordered to hand over the answer sheets of students for investigation, but he refused to do so. This is a phenomenon that emphasizes the threat to academic freedom at the present time. 

4. The exercising of power by the Army to threaten Lt. Sunisa Lertpakawat, the author of the pocket book "Thaksin, Where are You?" and asking her not to re-publish the book. This case obviously reflects violation of the rights and freedom to communicate and disseminate opinion through publication.   

5. An attempt of the current government to push much legislation which violates civil rights and freedom such as the Internal Security Bill, B.E..., including laws on the media such as the Computer Crime Act, B.E. 2550, the Film and Video Bill, B.E...., the Radio and Television Business, B.E.... Many articles in these laws give power to the state to strictly control and obstruct free expression in the media.     

The Campaign for Popular Media Reform and the Freedom Against Censorship Thailand have the same opinion that if Thai society accepts the exercise of state power that increasingly violates the people's rights and freedom, though such violation of rights and freedom is committed towards those who have a different opinion from us, disagree, object or oppose, all of this will be an indicator that leads to danger for future democracy. On the contrary, if we protect the rights and freedom of those having a different opinion, it means that we protect our own rights and freedom as well. Today, if we allow the state to violate the rights and freedom of those who oppose and express a different opinion from the state, in the future when we are in the same situation, the state will also definitely cling to that standard and violate the rights and freedom of all of us by claiming legitimacy.   

Therefore, no matter who is in power, the principle of rights and freedom must be an essential foundation of democratic society which must be enduringly maintained. If we allow it to be increasingly unstable, finally, it will be difficult for us to keep democracy in Thai society.    

The CPMR and the FACT request that Thai society: 

1. Protects the rights and freedom of people having different opinions from us;    

2 Affirms our own rights and freedom to perceive all-round information and express political opinion in an overt manner;  

3. Deters the state from passing important laws that affect our rights and

freedom so that there are open debates and discussion and the people can fully participate after there is an elected parliament.  

With a respectful mind

6 August 2007