ID :
49348
Fri, 03/06/2009 - 20:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/49348
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Thai PM pledges to study lese majeste law reform
BANGKOK, March 6 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday said he would look into ways to reform Thailand’s lese majeste law to ensure clarity and fairness for all parties concerned.
"The enforcement of the law itself must first be deliberated as problems in the past were involved with how the law was being enforced," the prime minister said, adding that he would further discuss the matter with the national police chief and all stakeholders in the issue.
Mr. Abhisit said he had already conveyed all concerns regarding the matter to the police chief.
The move, he said, was aimed not at creating a positive image of the kingdom in the eyes of the international community, but to assure fairness for all parties concerned.
The premier said, however, that the legislative reform would not affect current cases, as those who had intentionally violated the law should not be allowed to exploit it.
Mr. Abhisit made the statement after a group 54 academics worldwide signed a letter to Mr. Abhisit calling on the Thai government to reform the law to prevent further abuses, to stop "suppressive measures against individuals, web sites, and the peaceful expressions of ideas" and to release individuals jailed under lese majeste laws.
The lese majeste law mandates a jail term of three to 15 years for “whoever defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir to the throne or the regent.”
Mr. Abhisit stated that all the cases must be handled in a straightforward manner based on the existing law.
The most recent case involves Giles Ji Ungpakorn, an outspoken academic, who fled to Britain last month after being charged with lese majeste over a book he wrote about the 2006 coup in Thailand.
Australian novelist Harry Nicolaides was granted a royal pardon late last month after being sentenced to three years in prison for writing a fictional work deemed insulting to the monarchy. (TNA)
"The enforcement of the law itself must first be deliberated as problems in the past were involved with how the law was being enforced," the prime minister said, adding that he would further discuss the matter with the national police chief and all stakeholders in the issue.
Mr. Abhisit said he had already conveyed all concerns regarding the matter to the police chief.
The move, he said, was aimed not at creating a positive image of the kingdom in the eyes of the international community, but to assure fairness for all parties concerned.
The premier said, however, that the legislative reform would not affect current cases, as those who had intentionally violated the law should not be allowed to exploit it.
Mr. Abhisit made the statement after a group 54 academics worldwide signed a letter to Mr. Abhisit calling on the Thai government to reform the law to prevent further abuses, to stop "suppressive measures against individuals, web sites, and the peaceful expressions of ideas" and to release individuals jailed under lese majeste laws.
The lese majeste law mandates a jail term of three to 15 years for “whoever defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir to the throne or the regent.”
Mr. Abhisit stated that all the cases must be handled in a straightforward manner based on the existing law.
The most recent case involves Giles Ji Ungpakorn, an outspoken academic, who fled to Britain last month after being charged with lese majeste over a book he wrote about the 2006 coup in Thailand.
Australian novelist Harry Nicolaides was granted a royal pardon late last month after being sentenced to three years in prison for writing a fictional work deemed insulting to the monarchy. (TNA)
