University says row widening social rifts
Thammasat University students cast light on the famousdomeat Tha Phra Chan campus
in asymbolic gesture to rid it of ‘‘darkness during the daytime’’. The students are
protesting against the ban on university grounds of any activities related to
proposed reform of the lese majeste law. THITIWANNAMONTHA
Mr Somkit said he will propose a rethink on the ban at a meeting of the university executives on Feb 13.
The ban resulted from a campaign by the Nitirat group, a gathering of academics seeking an amendment to Article 112 of the Criminal Code, better known as the lese majeste law.
This movement has drawn significant opposition, leading the university to ban all campaigning relating to Article 112, by Nitirat or others, on its grounds, for fear violence could erupt between those opposed to the law and those seeking to keep it.
But critics of the ban say it is violating freedom of expression.
Nearly 200 protesters, including students, turned up at Thammasat University yesterday in opposition to the ban.
They layed wreaths and pointed portable lights at the university's famous dome at Tha Phra Chan campus in a symbolic gesture to rid it of "darkness during the daytime".
Thammasat law student Panitan Prueksakasemsuk said while he understood the executives' fears of potential violence, he strongly disagreed with the ban as it compromised academic debate and freedom of expression.
This was especially important, he said, as the university was founded on a principle of liberty.
However, Mr Somkit insisted the university's libertarian spirit remained.
He pointed out that students and lecturers are still free to discuss Article 112 and they are not prohibited from filing petitions either supporting or opposing the move to amend the law.
He added that the university will not pursue disciplinary investigations against Thammasat lecturers who are among the Nitirat group.
Meanwhile, the Campaign Committee for the Amendment of Article 112, an academic network, yesterday insisted it will press ahead with its campaign to seek an amendment to the law.
Yukti Mukdawichit, a lecturer of sociology and anthropology at Thammasat and a member of the committee, said efforts are being made to form a network of supporters of the campaign to educate the public about the law.
Mr Yukti said the group will stage its activities peacefully and it wants to assert its right to collect signatures, which is guaranteed by the constitution.
"We will go ahead and we won't back down. We are not breaking the law by proposing changes to the law," Mr Yukti said.
He said the law goes against the principle of democratic governance which upholds freedom of speech.
Article 112 is often used as a tool to persecute political rivals, Mr Yukti said. However, he said the group is willing to listen to its opponents, and debate them on the issues.
Siam Pracha Piwat, a counter-Nitirat academic group, will hold a seminar on the subject "Thailand's political crisis: Who is the cause?" at Thammasat University today.
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