Article 12 “There needs to be a balance between freedom of expression and censorship on the internet” Commentary Ms. Methinee Dhepmanee, Director of the Institute of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, thinks that further development of the internet requires people to be respectful of the rights of others. It is a communication tool that is useful in terms of time efficiency and productivity, but should not be used by people to abuse the rights of others. She believes that each country is responsible for developing legal mechanisms to protect their citizens’ rights. Thailand has such a law, the Computer-Related Offence Act (2007), which seeks to punish a person who has committed an unlawful act of violation that causes damage and compromises the integrity and order of Thailand, as well as that of the economy, society and security of the state. Ms. Methinee Dhepmanee She says she is concerned about the large number of victims whose rights have been violated on the internet, people who have been slandered online or had their images modified and publicized. She says that many cases have led to punishment following legal recourse. On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Ms. Dhepmanee says she is filled with hope that victims of internet rights violations will have their rights to privacy realized, because every human being is entitled to dignity. She notes that for this to occur, there needs to be a balance between freedom of expression and censorship on the internet. However, the government should not compromise some rights to protect others. Our Voices are Heard in Thailand 57