Campaign to repeal 1976 coup-era order gains over 62,000 signatures
A campaign to propose a bill repealing an order made following the military coup of 1976 which increased the penalty for royal defamation has now gained over 62,000 signatures.
Organised by the October 6 Memorial Network, the petition is part of a campaign marking the 50th anniversary of the 6 October 1976 Thammasat University Massacre, a violent crackdown and lynching by police and right-wing paramilitaries of protesters gathering at Thammasat University and nearby Sanam Luang to protest the return of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn. The massacre resulted in the death of at least 45 people. That evening, Admiral Sangad Chaloryu ousted the government of Seni Pramoj in a military coup. He became head of the National Administrative Reform Council (NARC), the junta which would rule Thailand until 1980.
Within 15 days of the coup, the NARC issued Order 41, amending the Criminal Code to increase the penalties for several offences, such as defaming a foreign head of state, insulting a place of worship, flag desecration, defamation, and defamation by publication. It also increased the penalty for royal defamation from up to 7 years to between 3 and 15 years.
In a statement delivered at the memorial event held at Thammasat University on Tuesday (6 October), the Network said that laws which were amended by the order of the 1976 junta are still used against citizens and many are used to detain protesters and activists. People have been sentenced to prison for contempt of court, while critics of those in power are silenced with the criminal defamation law.
At least 30 political prisoners are detained for royal defamation, said the statement. Others are still standing trial. Many more have left the country and are living in exile.
With over 60,000 signatures, the statement said that the campaign has more than met its goal. This is because people joined forces. The Network will deliver the signatures to Parliament and formally propose the bill on 21 October to mark 50 years since the order was declared and as a symbol of reclaiming freedom of expression.
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