A group of 201 academics from universities across the country yesterday called on the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) to ensure and protect intellectual freedom that they said was being threatened under the current military administration.

The group submitted an open letter stating that students and university lecturers had witnessed unprecedented threats to their academic freedom even though the country was stepping into a reform process that needed freedom of expression in order to ensure its success.

"Universities have an important role in providing a guiding light for the country and being a centre where people can exchange opinions to ensure justice in society and create a sustainable future for the country. In order to achieve this purpose, academics and students in universities must be able to express their opinion freely and without fear," the letter said.

The letter dismissed the government's claim that it had allowed public participation in reform. "In reality, the government has exercised power against academic freedom. There has never been such severe threats and intimidation against freedom of expression in universities as is happening now," it said.

For instance, in September, soldiers ordered students and lecturers to stop an economic seminar at Chiang Mai University and invited them for an "attitude adjustment" session. They were ordered to sign an agreement that they would not carry out any more political activities.

In another incident, authorities ordered students who protested against construction of the Mae Wong Dam not to carry out a seminar scheduled to be held from November 15-22 at Kasetsart University and Chulalongkorn University.

The letter said some soldiers also demonstrated a show of force by appearing in uniform and fully armed at some educational institutions such as Chiang Mai University.

It said universities must be free from arms and threats so that students and academics could have intellectual freedom.

"Universities are the last resort to help restore public hope, faith and confidence that had fallen from a decade of political riots and unrest. Without this dim hope, reform will not be achieved," the letter said.

Security officials also threatened Khon Kaen University students who refused to sign an agreement not to stage anti-coup protests or the university would revoke their student status, the letter added.

Originally posted here:

Academics push for intellectual freedom