Bangkok (dpa) – Thai courts have “systematically” denied bail in lese majesty cases involving supporters of the political movement behind the 2009-10 protests, Human Rights Watch said Saturday. The New York-based group said bail was denied in 12 cases involving members of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), while bail had been granted for a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in July 2010. The UDD, known as “red shirts,” protested against the government of former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in Bangkok in 2009 and 2010, resulting in street battles that left scores dead and buildings ablaze. The PAD led protests against a previous government that backed fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, culminating in the seizure of the capital's two airports in 2008. “Bail appears to be systematically denied to members of the Red Shirts while they await trial for lese majeste,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Denial of bail seems to be for punishment rather than for justified reasons.” A verdict is expected Tuesday in the case of Surachai Danwattananusorn, a prominent political activist charged with lese majesty in February 2011. His bail requests were denied five times. The criminal code makes it illegal to defame, insult or threaten the king, queen, heir apparent or regent, punishable by up to 15 years in jail. Thailand has had a constitutional monarchy since 1932. The law was seldom enforced before the coup of September 2006 that toppled Thaksin, but since then there has been a surge in cases, largely directed at his followers who have become increasingly outspoken in their public criticism of the establishment. A movement to amend the law, backed by some prominent royalists who claim that abuses of the law have harmed the institution's reputation, have been rejected by both government and opposition politicians. “Despite its promises to restore respect for human rights in Thailand, the new government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which took office in August 2011, has shown little interest in ending lese majesty crackdowns,” Human Rights Watch said. Even King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 84, signalled displeasure with the law during a speech in 2005. “Actually, I must also be criticized,” the king said. “I am not afraid, if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know.” BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/YfWxS Tags: Case, Court, Lese Majesty, Thailand Section: East Asia, Latest News
