Thailand must repeal or reform emergency legislation immediately

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/thailand-must-repeal-or-reform-emergency-legislation-immediately-2010-09-30

"Invoking these laws has become almost routine for the government," said Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International's Thailand researcher.

"As a result, the extraordinary powers they grant to curtail human rights have often been abused to block the expression of peaceful dissenting views."

The Emergency Decree also authorizes virtually unfettered censorship of news and information outlets, and expressly confers immunity from prosecution for officials who violate human rights law in the course of their duties.

Amnesty International called on the government of Thailand not to renew the Emergency Decree in Bangkok and the six other non-southern provinces where it is in effect, and to either repeal the Decree and the ISA or bring them into compliance with international law and standards."