Abhisit urges junta to consider underlying causes of political unrest
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DEMOCRAT PARTY leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday warned that national reconciliation was just a pipe dream without an understanding of the underlying causes of the political conflicts.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is being urged to wield his absolute power under the interim charter to bring national reconciliation efforts to fruition.
The power is granted to him by Article 44 of the provisional constitution as head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)
Abhisit said amnesty should only be promulgated at the right time and after agreeing on the root causes of conflicts.
“Today, before anyone suggests using Article 44 to have the PM or the head of the NCPO do something or use the National Legislative Assembly to pass a law, there is a need to listen and explain.
“And the process must be clear as to what will be done to solve what problems. This will make everything go smoothly,” he said.
There’re things that can be done right away to bring about national reconciliation such as redressing the suffering of victims of the political strife over the years, the former prime minister said.
Also, those who clearly do not deserve to be made criminals as a result of the political turmoil should be absolved.
Granting an amnesty for these people can be done but it must be carefully considered as the political situation is still in a state of flux.
And there may be questions arising from those engaged in political activities who are legally affected by martial law, which was imposed by the NCPO, as to whether they should also benefit from the amnesty.
Good timing is crucial, he added.
