UN expert dismayed over Thai leader’s intimidating
statements against freedom of the press
GENEVA (1 April 2015) – United Nations expert on freedom of
expression David Kaye today urged the Government of Thailand to unequivocally
distance itself from the Thai’s leader intimidating statements against freedom
of the press, and take immediate measures to allow space for debate and freedom
of expression.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the leader of the coup that
deposed the elected government of Thailand and assumed powers as Prime Minister
in 2014, has said recently that journalists who criticize him or ‘causes
divisions’ could be subjected to execution, and that he enjoys ‘the power to
close down the media, arrest people, order for people to be shot.’
“I condemn General Prayuth’s statements categorically,” the
UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom
of opinion and expression stressed. “After a year of killings and terrible
violence against journalists worldwide, such statements are simply outrageous”.
The Special Rapporteur noted that he receives reports from
all over the world about attacks, killings and record numbers of journalists imprisoned,
“designed to silence criticism and deny citizens the right of access to
information.”
“Journalists of all kinds perform one of the most
fundamental tasks in a democratic society, throwing light on whether and how
Governments behave in accordance with the rule of law or engage in corruption
and human rights abuses,” he said. “Intimidation of journalists is by
definition an attack on the public’s right to know.”
“There is no sense that General Prayuth spoke in jest,” the
expert said. “But even if he did, the idea that the killing of journalists –
let alone the shutting down of media in light of criticism – can be a laughing
matter is reprehensible.”
The Special Rapporteur stated that Thailand should take
immediate steps to lift the nationwide imposition of martial law, while
expressing strong concerns about possible invocation of section 44 of the
Interim Constitution that would further provide General Prayuth an unlimited
authority to issue legislative, executive or judicial order.
“Freedom of expression and independent journalism,
uninhibited by fear of reprisals, contribute to public debate and are essential
for building inclusive societies and democracies,” Mr. Kaye said. “This
includes the right of everyone’s to express criticism of public authorities.”
“Not only Governments and public officials should exhibit
respect for the role of journalists, but actually should publicly condemn all
forms of threats and attacks against journalists at the highest political level
and ensure no one is subject to intimidations,” the human rights expert
stressed.
The Special Rapporteur also expressed concerned with the
increasing arrests and detentions under lese majesté law and Computer Crime
Act, and called for an end to the criminalization of dissenting opinions. “This
is particularly crucial now at the moment of drafting the new Constitution,
which will shape the future of the country,” the expert concluded.
ENDS
David Kaye (USA) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in
August 2014 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Learn more, log on to:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomOpinion/Pages/OpinionIndex.aspx
The UN Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the
Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest
body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights, is the general name of the
independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms of the Human Rights Council
that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts
of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are
not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent
from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, country page – Thailand:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/THIndex.aspx
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