The lèse majesté law, also known as Article 112
in Thailand, states that no person shall commit an offense or crime against the
ruler or supreme power of a state. The ramifications of this law has caused the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to voice her opposition of Article 112,
“we are concerned about the ongoing trials and harsh sentencing of people
convicted of lèse majesté in Thailand and the chilling effect
that this is having on freedom of expression in the country.” She continues by
urging Thailand authorities to amend the laws on lèse majesté. I
appreciate the position that she is in and the delicacy with which this
situation needs to be handled but amendment is no longer the answer to this
problem. Article 112 needs to be abolished.
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| Somyot, labor activist and editor, was arrested in April 2011 |
Those who are charged are often denied bail for extended periods of time while awaiting trial; a situation especially true for members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, also known as the Red Shirts. You can find more information here about political prisoners who have been arrested for lèse majesté in Thailand and have been denied bail.
Among those who find
themselves prosecuted for lèse majesté is 20-year-old
Kanthoop, a university student who refused to stand in the cinema for the
national anthem that plays prior to every film. “That was the moment for me,” she
says. “I decided that I have the right to stand up or not, to pay respect to
whatever I believe in.” This is an unpopular stance to take in Thailand where
the monarchy is respected and revered and those who criticize it are vilified
and often charged. For more information about Kanthoop’s story click here.
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| Red Shirts protest Article 112 |
The danger of Article 112 is that it creates an atmosphere of silence. The monarchy is respected because to not do so would be treason. The threat of jail is being used by political figures to trample any opposition and shut the mouths of expression. To find out how you can help people like Kanthoop visit this link.
-Thai Constitution, Section 8
A very interesting story. This group has been active since 2006. I wonder if change will happen.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, it's just so crazy.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you posting this Brad. It is a great demonstration of the contrast in our rights compared to other countries. We tend to take these things for granted.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoy it. I've been trying to find news from different parts of the world each week in order to contrast those stories with what we take for granted every single day. It's my hopes that through this blog some readers may begin to appreciate all that they have and understand that by knowing what is happening around the world it is possible to influence change. Whether this is through online petitions or connecting through social networking sites.
DeleteInteresting.It looks like this will be a long fight.Thailand is a monarchy and I don't see things changing (one article in the constitution)when the political regime is still the same.But, I admire the courage of people who want the change.
ReplyDeleteThis is very an important issue and I'm glad your bring it to light Brad. I confess I didn't know Thailand has such a tight grip on free speech. As long as people can change, Thailand can change.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Thailand it was completely hush - hush to speak of the royal family at all, especially if you weren't mentioning their greatness. It was a very odd realization that people are controlled from speaking what they wish about their own governing body. It is a wonder that people still adore the King, but I can't say the same for the prince...
ReplyDeleteA very interesting post Brad, I appreciate your perspective.
I really enjoy your blog Brad, you bring light to a lot of issues such as this that some people may not be aware of.
ReplyDelete