Drafters told to clarify amnesty idea
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DEMOCRAT NIPIT SAYS PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW IF PARDONS OR AMNESTY APPLIES
Democrat Party deputy leader Nipit Intrasombat yesterday voiced support for the idea of the charter drafters setting up a national reconciliation committee to pave the way for political-conflict wrongdoers receiving amnesty, but urged the drafters to explain clearly whether they would receive amnesty or a pardon.
On Saturday, Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) president Borwornsak Uwanno said a national reconciliation committee would be set up under the new charter in a bid to solve disputes.
He said the committee would be authorised to propose a pardon decree for people involved in political conflict.
In response, Nipit said: “We do not oppose the idea of promoting reconciliation to end the disputes in the country, and reconciliation would be promoted by granting amnesty to wrongdoers.”
However, Nipit said after hearing the CDC president’s speech he was still confused over whether people would be given amnesty or a pardon because they had different meanings.
“The CDC first must explain clearly to the public whether amnesty or a pardon will be given to protesters. If it is not understood clearly by the public it could cause more problems later,” said Nipit, who is a legal expert.
Nipit pointed out that the term “pardon” stipulated in the charter made it clear that only His Majesty the King could grant a pardon, while an “amnesty” could be granted by Parliament.
He said a pardon should apply only to individuals, explaining the red shirts had tried to have fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra pardoned, and amnesty should apply to groups of people.
On Saturday, the CDC president along with other drafters, such as Thawilwadee Bureekul, Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, Supatra Nakapiew and Pracha Taerat, participated in a forum held in Udon Thani under the topic “Unite People Power for National Reform”.
The forum was jointly hosted by the National Reform Council and King Prajadhipok's Institute for the purpose of giving the public a platform to air their ideas as part of the reformation and charter drafting process.
During the forum, Borwornsak explained that the new constitution must solve the biggest issues by ending political conflict, reducing inequality, promoting justice and setting up reconciliation committee.
“This charter will set up a committee on reconciliation as a mechanism of promoting reconciliation in the country, and the committee will be the ‘middle man’ in resolving conflicting sides’ problems,” said the CDC president.
“Once every side admits to their wrongdoings, the reconciliation committee can make a request to the government for pushing a pardon,” Borwornsak added.
Another CDC member, Anek Laothamatas, who is responsible for drafting the reconciliation topic in the new charter, explained that the reconciliation committee member would comprise 14 members, with nine appointed by the King and five representatives from the conflicting groups.
Anek said the committee would focus on promoting reconciliation over the long term, solving disputes through peaceful and democratic methods, although the process was still in the early stage of drafting and needed to be scrutinised and approved by the CDC.
“The reconciliation process can be successful when every side comes together. If every side is ready to move forward, it could lead to a peaceful society,” Anek said.
Borwornsak warned that reconciliation would not be promoted unless every side could get over past disputes.
He added that the reconciliation committee will work for five years and play a key negotitation role in trying to resolve disputes.
Meanwhile, Borwornsak said a civilian council would be set up to scrutinise local politicians’ integrity and their work.
He also suggested the public should have the authority to impeach politicians and that | the CDC was scrutinising the matter.
“We must reform with justice to strengthen civilians’ power and local administrations, as well as promoting transparency for selecting representatives and senators to get Thailand out of its crises”, Borwornsak said.
