Thailand: Commission begins study of lese majeste law

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has begun a study of the controversial ‘lese majeste’ law and how it affects freedom of expression, academic freedom, civil rights and Thailand's global image, the Bangkok Post reports.

NHRC Working Group chairman Jon Ungphakorn said the 12-member group, which consists of representatives from the public sector and civil society, will come up with its recommendations for the application of the law within six months.

Commissioner Niran Pitakwatchara, also a member of the group, said the main objectives of the study were to protect the monarchy from being used as a political tool and to prevent people politicising the lese majeste law and the 2007 Computer Crime Act.

"We don't have an agenda to reform or abolish or maintain the laws," Dr Niran said. "Our work looks into the problematic application of them."

A statement by the NHRCT says that, in carrying out the study, it "will perform its duties according to the Constitution and laws, and will maintain the balance between the rights and freedom of expression and the prestige of the monarchy according to our democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State".

The NHRC has received 13 petitions asking it to look into alleged human rights violations caused by the lese majeste law and the Computer Crime Act.

Date: 11 January 2012