ID :
127732
Mon, 06/14/2010 - 11:17
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/127732
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DSI discussing possible amnesty for Red Shirt protesters
BANGKOK, June 14 (TNA) – The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will discuss Monday afternoon a possible amnesty for detained anti-government protesters who violated Thailand's State of Emergency during the recent political chaos, amid opposition from many parties.
Representatives of DSI, the National Security Council and the Council of State will meet over the pros and cons of pardons for Red Shirt protesters who attended the unlawful rallies, but not for the protest leaders.
After an initial period of demonstrations that were permitted under freedom of assembly and expression, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrations became unlawful when the government enacted and enforced an Emergency Decree to maintain law and order in Bangkok early April, followed by a similar imposition in 23 other provinces, mainly in the North and Northeast.
DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said he does not want the Red Shirt protesters who are already back in their hometowns, as well as those who are now being detained for violating the Emergency Decree, to be spared punishment.
However he said it was not the case for those who committed serious criminal offences.
Mr Tharit said an amnesty can be issued by executive decree issued by the government which can take immediate effect and later be approved by Parliament or by means of an amnesty to be proposed to Parliament.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Sunday the amnesty must be weighed on its merits.
Mr Suthep said pardons could be offered to UDD protesters on the condition that they are simply demonstrators demanding democracy, but not those who are loyal to fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Red Shirt protesters held a marathon rally in the Thai capital demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to unconditionally quit his post from March 14.
The Reds' rally, broken up on May 19 in an army operation against their bastion in the centre of Bangkok, led to widespread riots, arson and looting which left 89 dead and nearly 1,900 people injured.
The pardon, if offered to UDD protesters, is part of Mr Abhisit’s proposed national reconciliation road map but both its advantages and disadvantages must be weighed carefully because nobody could tell whether the protesters would return to the streets again, Mr Suthep said.
He said a timeframe for the amnesty is yet to be set.
Regarding an accusation of the opposition Puea Thai Party charging that the government is now hunting down UDD leaders, which critics say contradicts the proposed reconciliation plan, Mr Suthep said people would have to closely monitor the party's move as there is an attempt to distort facts. (TNA)
Representatives of DSI, the National Security Council and the Council of State will meet over the pros and cons of pardons for Red Shirt protesters who attended the unlawful rallies, but not for the protest leaders.
After an initial period of demonstrations that were permitted under freedom of assembly and expression, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrations became unlawful when the government enacted and enforced an Emergency Decree to maintain law and order in Bangkok early April, followed by a similar imposition in 23 other provinces, mainly in the North and Northeast.
DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said he does not want the Red Shirt protesters who are already back in their hometowns, as well as those who are now being detained for violating the Emergency Decree, to be spared punishment.
However he said it was not the case for those who committed serious criminal offences.
Mr Tharit said an amnesty can be issued by executive decree issued by the government which can take immediate effect and later be approved by Parliament or by means of an amnesty to be proposed to Parliament.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Sunday the amnesty must be weighed on its merits.
Mr Suthep said pardons could be offered to UDD protesters on the condition that they are simply demonstrators demanding democracy, but not those who are loyal to fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Red Shirt protesters held a marathon rally in the Thai capital demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to unconditionally quit his post from March 14.
The Reds' rally, broken up on May 19 in an army operation against their bastion in the centre of Bangkok, led to widespread riots, arson and looting which left 89 dead and nearly 1,900 people injured.
The pardon, if offered to UDD protesters, is part of Mr Abhisit’s proposed national reconciliation road map but both its advantages and disadvantages must be weighed carefully because nobody could tell whether the protesters would return to the streets again, Mr Suthep said.
He said a timeframe for the amnesty is yet to be set.
Regarding an accusation of the opposition Puea Thai Party charging that the government is now hunting down UDD leaders, which critics say contradicts the proposed reconciliation plan, Mr Suthep said people would have to closely monitor the party's move as there is an attempt to distort facts. (TNA)
