A Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer has joined more than 100 academics from around the world in their concern for human rights in Thailand. Dr Robert Tierney is a lecturer in management in the School of Business at CSU in Bathurst. He signed an open letter to the Thai Prime Minister Ms Yingluck Shinawatra highlighting concern about ‘the diminution of the space for the free exchange of ideas in Thailand’. A total of 112 international scholars signed the letter which draws attention to human rights issues and the political use of lese majeste (Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code) and the 2007 Computer Crimes Act. Spokesman for the academics is Kevin Hewison, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA. “The political abuse of these laws has seen a precipitous deterioration of human rights in Thailand,” said Professor Hewison. “Censorship of websites, self-censorship in the media and many, many charges of disloyalty mean serious restrictions on freedom of expression.” Dr Tierney said, “The legislative changes in Thailand make it much more difficult for people  to speak out in this so-called democracy. Any legislative decree which sets out to squeeze the right to freedom of academic expression silences not only those who wish to undertake research which may be deemed hostile to the authorities but also interviewees who desire their views to be expressed.”