CDC chief urges 'silent' masses to reject conflict
CONSTITUTION Drafting Commit-tee chairman Borwornsak Uwanno yesterday took the two major political camps to task for their portrayal of "distrust", saying their action was a bad sign that political division and disparity would not be resolved easily.
“The two major parties still hold on to their stance, speaking the same language [they did] eight years ago. Political leaders must project optimistic views and hope and give people the chance to participate in political decisions,” he said.
He was delivering the address at an event marking the 23rd anniversary of the May 1992 bloodshed on Rajdamnoen Road.
Borwornsak said that people who had been merely the silent power must clearly exhibit their intentions not to accept violent conflict and lies – otherwise their silence would become a major obstacle for the country, he said.
“The media must stop taking political sides. They report political conflict by giving only one side of the story,” Borwornsak said.
He said as long as double standards exist, society would not achieve peace.
“Justice, which is the key and the first step to reconciliation, should not be just lip service,” he said.
While Borwornsak was giving his speech, a group of four women calling themselves “maled prik”, or chili, held placards with the message “No to 2015 charter”; “No reconciliation with murder”; and “Leading legal expert hired to destroy democracy”.
They read a statement saying society before the May bloodshed in 1992 protested to amend the charter to block the military from rising to power and pushed for elected governments. They were cracked down on by the military, resulting in heavy casualties.
No military officials stood trial following these incidents.
The group called on the current military-installed government to scrap the amnesty bills that pardoned those who seized control of the state on February 23, 1991 and put military officials linked to the May bloodshed on trial.
They called for an elected PM and Senate and for public participation in drafting the new charter.
None of the group was arrested after their demonstration but their placards were destroyed.
