Student arrests - a starting point for reconciliation?
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THE ARREST, detention and release of the 14 anti-coup students have taught some lessons to both the students and the junta.
On the surface, the pressure was on Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) from the beginning when police arrested and detained the students at Bangkok Remand Prison on June 26. They were released by the court’s order last Wednesday after spending 12 days behind bars.
But the charges against the students under the New Democracy Movement (NDM) still remain.
They have each been charged with violating national security or sedition, an offence under Article 116 of the criminal code that carries up to seven years in jail.
The students were also charged with breaching NCPO’s ban on political gatherings of five or more people.
Despite vowing to continue fighting, the students must be more cautious in their further movements. Society is still divided on their challenge to the junta.
While this group of students was showing its opposition against the junta and the government, other groups of students and civic groups were submitting a letter declaring their support for Prayut at Government House.
Although the NDM students gained more support from academics, activists and international organisations during their detention, some political observers said this support came mainly from those who already opposed the junta.
In other words, only a few supporters were from new faces or groups.
Others saw the incident as a provocation by the students to rouse the junta to arrest them and thought there were ill-intentioned people or groups behind the move.
As a result, any further move by the students could backfire.
The public may think the court has already granted mercy to them so they should not make any further moves to violate the laws or orders. Otherwise they would be seen as trouble- makers.
Prayut stressed on the day they were released that the students should learn a lesson and never commit wrongdoing again – otherwise they would be put back in detention.
The NDM students also needed to show the public that their move against the coup was pure and free from the meddling of politicians or international agencies as the government or security agencies believed.
As for Prayut and the junta, the release of the students helped ease the tension between the junta and the community. But it should remind the junta that they must allow the people, especially those who have different views from the junta, some room to express their ideas on speech, movement, freedom and rights.
Apparently, the premier and the junta had also learned a lesson from their mishandling of the situation. A positive sign was seen after the release of the students.
The NCPO, through the Centre for Reconciliation and Reform, is inviting political parties and groups, prominent political figures, including students, to participate in a weekly “Moving Reform Forward” programme on NBT and Channel 5.
Main guests to be invited to the programme include two ex-premiers, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Yingluck Shinawatra.
Prayut himself also showed he was ready to give everyone room for different views to be spoken and heard.
During his TV programme “Return Happiness to the People” last Friday, Prayut said the government would provide forums for all parties, including students and academics and those who were pro- and anti-government groups, to partake in discussions about reform.
He said the forum was aimed at providing everyone with an opportunity to take part in national reforms.
However, to show their sincerity and intention to help the country move forward, when the space or forums are open the government should allow all sides – pro and anti-coup parties – to talk, discuss and opine freely.
As well as the students, academics and politicians, no matter which side they’re on, they should engage the forums constructively, give useful suggestions – but not fight against each other.
More importantly, the government and the NCPO also need to have an open mind, welcoming all proposals and implementing them if they benefit the country.
And now, we may have to hold our breath and hope whether the lessons learned from this conflict could be the starting points of reconciliation.
