More than 200 international scholars, writers, and activists have joined the campaign urging reform to the lese majeste law.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, they urge the government to consider proposals by the Campaign Committee for the Amendment of Article 112 to reform the lese majeste law.
In the letter, signed by 224 signatories from 16 countries, the petitioners express grave concern over the use of Article 112 and the erosion of basic rights of those charged under it.
They said the lese majeste law has become a powerful tool to silence political dissent, and in particular, any dissension interpreted as being disloyal to the monarchy.
Among the signatories are Noam Chomsky (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Charles Keyes (University of Washington), Kevin Hewison (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Paul Handley (journalist and author of The King Never Smiles), Harry Harootunian (Columbia University), Tariq Ali (writer), Cornel West (Princeton University), and Chris Hedges (author).
The scholars said they have watched with growing unease the continuing violation of the basic rights of those who face lese majeste accusations including the denial of bail and the denial of the right to an open trial.
"We stand with the CCAA 112 because reform is necessary to protect the basic rights of Thais and to support the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in a broad sense," they said.
The draft amendment proposed by the Nitirat group will address the crises engendered by the abuse of Article 112 by making punishments reasonable and proportionate to the crime, limiting those who can file a complaint, and by differentiating sincere and truthful criticism from threats to the monarchy.
"[Support from the international scholars] shows our courageous Thai colleagues who are seeking reform that they are not alone.
"This issue is, and will be, closely monitored internationally," Rachel Harrison, a scholar of Thai cultural studies, said.
The open letter follows harsh criticism of the CCAA 112 and its Nitirat group allies, which has raised fears of a confrontation between the left and right wing movements reminiscent the Oct 6, 1976 massacre.
Apinan Buahaphakdee, a former Thammasat University student and an activist who witnessed the Oct 6, 1976 clashes, said Nitirat has the right to propose reforms to the lese majeste law.
The group's proposals are not an attempt to overthrow the monarchy, he wrote on his Facebook page yesterday.
The group had been unfairly accused of attempting to overthrow the institution of the monarchy, and unfairly linked with the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, and the Pheu Thai Party, he said.
Thammasat University yesterday issued an announcement to affirm its decision to ban the use of university property as a venue for activities related to Article 112.
The ban does not violate freedom of expression but is merely a resolution to not support any "political movement" or activity that risks triggering conflicts in society or which affects the nation's peace and stability, it said.
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