CDC to discuss proposals for an amnesty, plus other ideas

Anek is chairman of the CDC sub-panel responsible for national reforms and reconciliation. The CDC is due to begin talks with all 10 subcommittees today, he said, noting that his amnesty proposal was one among many.

The amnesty proposal should be put by a neutral party otherwise parties in dispute would not accept it, he said, noting that the military government could not do the job since its opponent would not trust such an idea from them.

“We should not talk too much [on this matter], or it won’t succeed. But, it’s up to our intention – if we push the amnesty in good faith, I believe we could get it done,” Anek told reporters.

Deputy Democrat leader Nipit Intrasombat disagreed, saying that the amnesty proposal was just a “new toy” for the National Legislative Assembly and the National Reform Council. But the idea of an amnesty for political conflicts was not completely new. It was studied for years by many institutions, including King Prajadhipok’s Institute, but never implemented, he said. 

“An amnesty should come after truth. Unless we study truth, unveil truth and management truth, we will never reach an amnesty,” he said.

The proposal aimed to free political protesters from punishment. But there were no such people in jail, Nipit said. Those who were prosecuted were mostly involved in creating violence or committing crimes and they were not qualified to get an amnesty, he said.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also said an amnesty was mostly used as a pretext to whitewash crimes, rather than to free victim of political conflicts.

NLA member Somjet Boonthanom said he agreed with the proposal to have an amnesty but the authorities should bring all parties and stakeholders to build a consensus around the proposal. But he said an amnesty should not be incorporated in the new constitution. 

CDC spokesman Khamnoon Sitthisamarn said the CDC would consider all proposals from subpanels but that did not mean the idea would be approved. The CDC has called a meeting today. There are several proposals such as establishing a peace commission, passing an amnesty, and having a directly elected cabinet, he said. The CDC would listen to reasons for all proposals but if members disagree with any proposals, they must be dumped, he said.