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[Sexpat]

The following is a portion of an editorial published today in the Bangkok Post:

" . . .The Computer Crime Act, like many before it and probably many after it, was passed through the NLA despite grave concerns raised by human rights groups and other lobbyists who raised rational and legitimate questions about its implications on freedom of expression and privacy.

But with no elected parliament, the concerns of the public were not heeded by the military-appointed assembly members. Unfortunately, as has been the case with many of the events since the Sept 19 coup, the naivety of some of the Kingdom's so-called social and intellectual leaders continues to undermine any effort to bring the country into line with basic democratic principles.

The Computer Crime Act was hailed this week by some as a step forward for the country. It has been argued that the new laws will strengthen the fight against cyber crime, helping protect companies and individuals from internet attacks and computer-related crimes. However, it is naive to accept this new act without viewing it within the wider context of ongoing measures that threaten the future of democracy and public freedoms. . .

As the laws in the Computer Crime Act predominantly affect freedom of expression, particular care must be taken to clearly define what is an offence and what is not. Not only does the bill threaten the freedoms of individuals and media organisations with disproportionate jail sentences for vaguely determined crimes, it also hands wide-ranging powers of surveillance and access to communications systems to ''competent officials''.

Such laws violate privacy rights and can be used as a stick to threaten individuals and media organisations into practising self-censorship. The laws also do not allow for sufficient judicial oversight for the exercise of powers that intrude on the right to privacy and freedom of expression.

Given the political instability of the country at present, these laws represent a very real danger to the future of democracy and individual freedoms. For any public voice to simply laud the act as a ''step forward'' for the country is a dereliction of its duty to scrutinise the acts of the state and look out for the public good.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/200707_News/20Jul2007_news17.php