Free Speech: New Law 'aims To Silence Ngos'

[george]

FREE SPEECH: New law 'aims to silence NGOs'

BANGKOK: A political activist yesterday alleged that the Thaksin government would move to silence critical non-governmental organisations by using new legislation to regulate NGOs.

Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy group said the government would use the National Social Welfare Promotion and Providing Act to exert control over NGOs.

Suriyasai said the act required NGOs to register with the government to be eligible to receive financial support for their work.

"The act will require NGOs to play by the rules or else they will become non-recognised organisations," Suriyasai said.

He said other NGOs would not dare to anger the government by joining critical NGOs in campaigning against the administration.

Suriyasai said the attempt to control and silence NGOs would be the last phase of the government's five-step manoeuvre to have absolute control of political power.

Suriyasai was speaking to a seminar on the Thaksin government and political scenarios this year held by the Youth Coordination Centre for Democracy at Thammasat University.

He said the government took control of the House of Representatives. It then took control of the bureaucrats, and had also manoeuvred to take control of independent organisations through the selection process, and had used its business clout to control the mass media.

He said the media had resorted to self-censorship out of fear of losing advertising contracts.

Speaking at the same seminar, Senator Chirmsak Pinthong alleged that the government's approval of an eight-year tax exemption for the IP Star satellite project - controlled by a firm affiliated with the Shinawatra business empire - was a way to help a party earn money for political spending.

"This is a policy-level corruption, for which is difficult to hold anyone responsible," Chirmsak said.

--The Nation 2004-01-19

[TizMe]

My Rambutans will never stand for this...

[mrentoul]

Suriyasai said the act required NGOs to register with the government to be eligible to receive financial support for their work.

I wouldn't give it away either. Registration would be the least of my demands.

Your rambutans...they talk?

[samran]

If only NGO's could pretend to be vegetables.....

[NedKelly]

Sure they want to silence the NGO's as this is where the real issues are dealt with. the NGO staffers on the grounds come face to face with the reults of corruption and government policy ona daily basis. Imagine the plight of a refugee in a camp on Thai soil and the only voice you have is that of your friendly NGO staff. The Thai govt wishes to put an end to this voice.