Re: michael's dealings with the sydney cops...

I'm sorry but while the point about "complexities" has some validity but comparing your situation to that of Thailand's is just absurd.

You had not had your democratic rights usurped via a coup and had not voiced political opinions that invoked incredibly draconian laws and led to 18year prison sentences.

The likes of Amnesty International are now a complete joke in Thailand and deserve very little respect if they keep uttering comments such as Ben Zawacki's infamous "we can see why" line on the jailing of Da Torpedo. This working "behind the scenes" has resulted in Thailand sliding down every international index linked to freedoms/human rights. It has completely failed, flies completely in the face of AI's charter and reveals a deeply flawed and misjudged strategy. (I hear Ben recently secured his visa for Thailand - well done Ben - nice to see your personal interests trump your commitment to human rights).

Michael, maybe you having a criminal record or not was dealt with appropriately in the Sydney context but if you were halfway through a 18year term, served entirely in the most appalling conditions, and had been abandoned by all the major international human rights groups, then you might feel some "trendy grandstanding" - or actually sticking to universally accepted norms on human rights - might actually be of benefit.

But there again your might prefer someone was ineffectually, and unaccountably, dealing with your case "behind closed doors."

I am just so amazed that human rights advocates have such short memories - haven't they even heard of Nelson Mandela?