Leaders must be willing to give way for sake of reconciliation
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The junta's determination to promote reconciliation by adding a new section to the charter might be an uphill task, but that task has become even tougher after a Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) subcommittee put the amnesty issue on the table again
Anek Laothamatas, chairman of the CDC sub-panel responsible for chapters on national reform and reconciliation, last week suggested that amnesty cover all political protests between 2005 and 2014, and possibly include protest leaders and military officers. He said this would offer a path to true reconciliation.
Though the idea of granting amnesty only to protesters has been accepted by many sides, even those in conflict, nearly everybody is against the idea of pardoning leaders.
Every time the word “amnesty” comes up, people think about the notorious “blanket” amnesty bill pushed by Pheu Thai Party, which prompted the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to take to the streets last year, leading to the military takeover in May.
Will granting amnesty really lead to reconciliation?
The word “reconciliation” refers to restoring mutual respect between individuals from different cultural backgrounds or re-establishing normal relations with the opposition.
“Amnesty” refers to a general pardon for offences, especially political offences, which is often granted before a trial or conviction.
Thailand has been struggling with a deep political divide for nearly a decade now, and still nobody seems to be willing to make compromises, which brings up the question – do the people, groups or even political parties, really want to reconcile? Or are the junta and government just bandying about the word “reconciliation” for effect?
In most rallies, it is usually the ordinary supporters who end up in jail, while the powerful ones leading them run free. Obviously, every rally needs supporters, but must the leaders abandon them once the goal is achieved?
Actually, this is the perfect time for leaders to come out as heroes, because if they push for amnesty to be granted to their supporters behind bars, they will come out looking like they care.
However, granting amnesty cannot always lead to true reconciliation, because it depends on the real intention of the leaders who were behind the conflicts.
Ideally, true reconciliation can be achieved when conflicting groups are willing to sacrifice their personal gains entirely. Sadly, in the real world, nobody really wants to yield or make compromises.
Both Democrat and Pheu Thai parties, as well as the red- and yellow-shirts, don’t want to see protest leaders being granted amnesty, probably because nobody wants to see their opponent get away.
Unfortunately, with this mindset, it is obvious that they have no desire to reconcile.
