NLA to submit draft bill on politically motivated offences, Peerasak says
THE National Legislative Assembly (NLA) plans to submit its new draft bill on justice for politically motivated offences to the government’s umbrella administrative committee for reform, reconciliation and national strategy, NLA vice president Peerasak Porjit said yesterday.
The committee, known in Thai as “Por Yor Por”, would consider the bill along with proposals from other concerned parties as part of its renewed effort towards reconciliation, he said.
Peerasak said this followed a new instruction from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who told the “Five Rivers” – the prime bodies set up after the coup to administer the country, including the NLA – to work together simultaneously on issues of concern through the Por Yor Por committee.
But he declined to confirm whether the draft would be submitted tomorrow when the reconciliation committee under the Por Yor Por convenes for the second |time.
The bill has been months in the making under the NLA’s political committee, being based on a previous study by the now-defunct National Reform Council reconciliation-study committee chaired by noted peace advocate Anek Laothammatas.
He, along with other noted social critics including Prawet Wasi, have been invited to sit on the reconciliation preparation committee as advisers.
Criteria for different offences
The bill has never been revealed to the public until now, but The Nation has seen the draft.
It appears that it intends to create new criteria for differentiating and categorising politically motivated criminal offences and related legal measures for people involved in demonstrations and unrest since 2005.
It would also address criteria for the rehabilitation of damaged parties.
However, the bill clearly excludes an amnesty for violations of the Criminal Code’s Article 84, corruption, lese majeste and human rights.
“It is expected that this law will be the beginning of reconciliation and the move towards peace and unity,” the bill reads. Made up of nine pages, it is divided into three main chapters plus a provisional chapter.
A new committee would be set up to supervise the criteria and related legal measures. The draft says it would be made up of 11 members drawn from independent organisations, judges, prosecutors, plus legal and human rights experts.
Peerasak also said the reconciliation meeting tomorrow would be an entry point, under which political parties would be invited to share views on 11 critical issues challenging the country.