A leading professional association of political scientists in the United States has expressed grave concern over the arrest and detention of Paul Chambers, a political scientist and American academic at Naresuan University, on charges of violating the law on lese majeste.
In an open letter addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several prominent US congressmen, the American Political Science Association (APSA) urged the Thai government to uphold the right to freedom of expression and academic freedom, as guaranteed under the Thai Constitution and the country’s international obligations.
It said though Chambers is currently out on bail, his visa has been revoked, his passport confiscated, and his laptop seized. “These bail conditions severely restrict his rights and freedom to continue his academic career,” it said.
APSA said it represents over 10,000 U.S. and internationally based professors, practitioners, and students of political science, including scholars within Thailand.
Chambers, who lives in Thailand since 1993, is a lecturer at the Center of ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University. APSA said his research, which examines the power and influence of the military in Thailand and the evolving nature of civil-military relations over the past fifteen years, is highly regarded.
“APSA is deeply concerned about the criminal investigation of a scholar in connection to his academic research and nonviolent extramural expression. These activities are expressly protected by international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a party,” it said.
APSA also said it feared that the proceedings against Chambers will have a chilling effect on public discourse and academic freedoms for other scholars within Thailand and beyond.
“We respectfully request that all charges against Dr. Chambers be dismissed as a clear demonstration of Thailand’s commitment to academic freedom, free inquiry, and expression. These principles are fundamental to quality higher education and are essential elements of a free, stable, and prosperous society,” it said.
