US slams lengthy sentences for lese majeste accused
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THE UNITED STATES has spoken out against harsh prison sentences given to two Thai citizens convicted for insulting the Royal family.
Last Friday, a man was jailed for 30 years for insulting the monarchy on Facebook, in one of the most severe sentences ever handed down under the law. The same day, a woman received a 28-year jail term also for posts on social media.
“We are deeply concerned about the lengthy prison sentences handed down by [a] Thai military court against two people for violating the lese majeste law,” said Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman. “No one should be jailed for peacefully expressing their views.
“We regularly urge Thai authorities, both privately and publicly, to ensure that freedom of expression is not criminalised and is protected in accordance with Thailand’s international obligations and commitments. And also, I would say that the United States has the utmost respect for the Thai monarchy.” Meanwhile, the Supreme Court yesterday acquitted a freelance computer programmer charged with posting a message on the Internet deemed to have insulted His Majesty.
The Supreme Court upheld the ruling of the Criminal and Appeals courts to acquit Surasak Phuchaisaen after giving him the benefit of the doubt.
The Supreme Court agreed with the lower courts that Surasak’s computer might have been accessed and its data tampered with during the delivery process when it was sent to the authorities to be checked.
