From: Hilary Naylor <hnaylor@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: soc.rights.human
Date: 13 Dec 92 19:25 PST
Subject: THAILAND: Gov.critic risks detenti
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1476700875:000:2915
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!hnaylor    Dec 13 19:25:00 1992


From: Hilary Naylor <hnaylor>
Subject: THAILAND: Gov.critic risks detenti

/* Written  7:25 pm  Dec 13, 1992 by hnaylor@igc.apc.org in igc:ai.general */
/* ---------- "THAILAND: Gov.critic risks detenti" ---------- */
Amnesty International
International Secretariat
1 Easton Street
London WC1X 8DJ
United Kingdom 

DATE: 10 DECEMBER 1992

THAILAND: THAI GOVERNMENT CRITIC RISKS DETENTION

Amnesty International wrote to King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 8 December
expressing concern that Professor Sulak Sivaraksa is at grave risk of arrest
and detention as a prisoner of conscience upon his voluntary return to
Thailand on 14 December. The organization called on the Thai Government to
ensure that Professor Sulak Sivaraksa is not detained as a prisoner of
conscience when he returns to Thailand and to ensure that he is at all times
safeguarded from ill-treatment. 

      In September 1991, it was reported that the Thai military authorities
had issued a warrant for the arrest of Professor Sulak Sivaraksa for remarks
he made about the monarchy and the military on 22 August 1991. Following the
issue of the warrant, which includes charges of "lese majest", he went into
hiding and subsequently left Thailand. Amnesty International believes that if
detained on these charges, Professor Sulak Sivaraksa would be a prisoner of
conscience and the organization would demand his immediate and unconditional
release.

      The warrant for Professor Sulak's arrest is reportedly based on remarks
he made on 22 August 1991 during a talk at Thammasaat University. He said that
Thai people should "accept that the King, the Crown Prince and the Princesses
are just ordinary people", and that he believed the King was "open to honest
criticism". Amnesty International believes that his detention for his remarks
about the monarchy would be a violation of the right to freedom of opinion and
expression. The organization is therefore urging that he not be arrested on
these grounds. 

      Professor Sulak Sivaraksa also talked about how General Suchinda and
General Sunthorn had visited Burma for talks with leaders of that country's
military junta immediately before they carried out a military coup in Thailand
on 23 February 1991 overthrowing the elected civilian government. Professor
Sulak asked, "Did they go to Burma to learn how to carry out the coup?" He
also alleged the Burmese and Thai militaries "are actually working together,
in logging, fishing and arms trading." 

      Amnesty International urges that, should Professor Sulak Sivaraksa be
charged with "defamation", he be given a fair trial at which he may be found
innocent - if his remarks are judged to be true or to constitute fair comment
made in good faith about matters subject to public criticism - as is provided
in Thai law. Amnesty International is also urging that Professor Sulak's
physical security be properly safeguarded if he is detained. 

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