Thailand’s elite Thammasat University says its lecturers cannot gather on campus to discuss a controversial law that bans criticism of the country’s king and royal family, the Bangkok Post reports. The rector of the Bangkok-based institution has said that a group of seven Thammasat law lecturers wanted to use university facilities to discuss amending the century-old law, which is known by the French term lèse-majesté. The rector said he banned such meetings because they could create the impression that Thammasat supports the reform efforts.

Those found guilty of insulting the 84-year-old king or the royal family can receive prison sentences of up to 15 years. The government says the law is needed to protect the revered monarch. But critics of the law say it is used to stifle political opponents, and that it threatens academic freedom. Last year a history professor at Thammasat was charged with violating lèse-majesté for arguing that the monarchy should be reformed.