PM vows to expedite action on TRC report
The Cabinet yesterday acknowledged the progress report from the Truth for Reconciliation Commission and agreed to speed up action on the commission's recommendations in order to reconcile political differences rapidly.
"The government has appointed a panel to implement the commission's report in a gesture of sincerity to bring about reconciliation," Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said following the Cabinet meeting.
The panel to follow up on the report will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, Yingluck said.
So far, the commission has submitted two reports, including one made under the previous government, she said, while pledging her full cooperation for the commission's work.
Among its key recommendations, the commission urged the government to get to the bottom of the incidents in connection with the violence that erupted last year, she said.
The commission also suggested that suspects should be notified with clear indictments and should avail themselves of the due process, she said in reference to cases linked to the political conflict before and after the 2006 coup.
In regard to lese majeste charges, the report said the government should aim to uphold the monarchy rather than allow rival camps to fault one another.
The prime minister said the restoration measures for victims of violent incidents would go beyond the compensation limits prescribed under the existing laws.
In a related development, the commission's consultant Priscilla Hayner paid a courtesy call on the prime minister at Government house.
Hayner, an internationally recognised expert on truth and reconciliation, is co-founder of the International Centre for Transitional Justice.
During the meeting, she praised the government for its efforts to uncover the truth related to the violence in order to prevent a repeat of such bloodshed.
