Bangkok: Nattawut revealed that the House Committee on Promoting a Peaceful Society has set a timeline, beginning in 2005, extending until the law is enforced. He plans to expand the list of charges to include 25 offenses, aiming for completion within two months. He stressed the importance of remembering the "Red Shirts of 2010," who have yet to receive compensation. He pledged to use this opportunity to facilitate conflict resolution in Thai society, allowing individuals to move forward as innocent parties. This statement followed the reception of a letter from the "People's Amnesty Group."
According to Thai News Agency, the People's Amnesty Network, along with human rights lawyers, submitted a letter to the Special Committee on the Draft Act on the Promotion of a Peaceful Society, represented by Mr. Nattawut Saikua, the Committee Chairman. Ms. Poonsuk Poonsukcharoen, as a representative, indicated concerns that the three draft bills may not adequately cover political cases from the past two decades. Thus, four proposals were submitted to the committee chairman: extending the amnesty period from 2005-2025, expanding the list of offenses beyond the current 20, including juveniles in the amnesty, and ensuring representation from both political and civil society within the committee.
Mr. Nattawut acknowledged that the first two issues were already addressed by the committee, which agreed on the timeframe from 2005 until the law's enactment. The offenses list was found lacking, prompting a decision to include an appendix to cover all offenses. The committee plans to expand from the current 12 offenses to 25, based on the Special Committee's guidelines. The committee remains open to adding additional offenses during the review process if necessary.
Regarding the inclusion of youth and committee composition, Mr. Nattawut expressed openness to discussion and promised to provide updates. He confirmed that the committee's efforts involve individuals with differing political views but shared intentions of resolving conflicts. The aim is to complete the committee's work promptly, beyond the initial two-month timeframe, contingent on the full House's mission.
Mr. Nattawut highlighted his commitment to the cause, having engaged with various stakeholders, including political leaders, legal experts, and those affected by political confrontations. He emphasized that the committee's mission extends beyond meetings, requiring actions outside the committee room to resolve political conflicts effectively.
Additionally, Mr. Nattawut addressed the issue of compensation for groups like the Black Shirts, who were acquitted but not compensated according to previous government resolutions. He is gathering information from the Department of Rights Protection to push for a fair solution within the committee.