Amnesty urges Thailand to open lese-majeste trial

Source: Reuters

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Rights group Amnesty International urged Thailand on Friday to open the trial of a political campaigner charged with insulting the monarchy after it was closed for reasons of "national security."

Amnesty said the court's decision to bar the media and public from attending the trial of Darunee Charnchoengsilpakul, a "red shirt" supporter of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, could jeopardize her chances of receiving a fair hearing.

Darunee, 46, also known as "Da Torpedo," was arrested and charged with lese-majeste last July after delivering an exceptionally strong speech on the 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin.

"When a judge closes the doors on a trial it significantly raises the risk of injustice taking place," Amnesty's Asia-Pacific director, Sam Zarifi, said in a statement.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE55P1CW20090626

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It is past time to do away with lese-majeste laws ENTIRELY!