List of 300,000 Internet users submitted to NLA to reconsider computer crime bill
Thai Netizen Network and Amnesty International Thursday lodged a petition endorsed also by 300,000 Internet users with the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to reconsider the amendment of the computer crimes law allegedly posing threats to human rights.
The rights groups said stipulations infringing on human rights, freedom of expression, and privacy still persisted in the latest amendment passed the NLA in its second reading last Friday.
Though there had been changes in the the wording, Thai Netizen Network leader Sarinee Achavanuntakul said that the essence of the law, for instance, in Article 14 remained a threat to freedom of expression.
For its vagueness, the activist alleged that the article would be used against people attempting to scrutinize authorities. Many had been sued for defamation with the Article 14 of the current computer crime act and thus were prevented from acting further in their issues of concern, Sarinee said.
In the latest amendment, the Article 14 also include the prohibition of putting distorted information into the Internet, the same wording used in the referendum law. The activist expressed concern it would aggravate rights situation.
Another representative from the Thai Netizen Network Arthit Suriyawongkul said that if the NLA passed the amendment, the groups would still continue their movement against any laws that violate the human rights, including the cyber security law recently passed the National Reform Steering Assembly.
Director of Amnesty International Piyanuch Kosot said that the 300,000 Internet users endorsing the petition against the amendment showed that a lot of people from inside and outside Thailand were watching any movements against the human rights.
She said laws should protect the people’s rights, not violate them.
The letter and the lists of the 300,000 people were received by secretariat of the Senate Office Wararat Atipat.