Midnight University--a group of academics based in Chiang Mai, together with the Sept 19 Network Against Coup d'etat and the Students Federation of Thailand will hold a special lecture right in front of the Election Commission headquarters in Bangkok on Wednesday July 11 at 1pm.
"It is obvious that state authorities including committees installed by the junta lack understanding about power relationship in Democracy as well as the rights to freedom of speech. So we want to educate them, in particular the Election Commissioners (EC)," the Midnight University said in its press release.
Previously Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham had stated that any attempt to persuade the public to reject the draft charter was subject to punishment according to the referendum bill still being deliberated by legislators. Article 10 of the bill prohibits criticisms that will interfere the voting. Once it enters into force, any such attempts must be stopped. (Matichon, July 3, 2007)
The Sept 19 Network responded that such a comment showed her lack of understanding about the fundamental rights of the people in Democracy as well as the principle and process of referendum.
The lecturers in the special session will include Attachak Satyanurak, Somkiat Tangnamo, and Somchai Preechasilpakun from Chiang Mai University , and Prapas Pintobtang and Pitch Pongsawat from Chulalongkorn University, with Uchane Chiangsane of the Sept 19 Network as the moderator.
The Midnight University also condemned the arrest of an anti-coup activist Sombat Bun-ngamanong in Chiang Rai last Saturday night. The group said that Sombat had the rights to peaceful gathering, and was exercising his rights to comment on politics.
What Sombat was trying to say was crucial to the development of Democracy in the country, as he was pointing out that the martial law being enforced in many areas was an obstacle for the public expression of opinions on the draft charter. Freedom of expression and broad opinions are essential for the public to deliberate the pros and cons of the draft charter before they go to vote in the referendum, the group said.
The academics called on the public to press for the lifting of the martial law, in order that the people can freely express their views on the draft charter.
