ID :
132380
Sun, 07/11/2010 - 14:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/132380
The shortlink copeid
PM: Government plan allows weapons return without prosecution
BANGKOK, July 11 (TNA) -- Thailand's reconciliation-committed prime minister today announced that his government is moving ahead with legislation to make possible collecting all military weapons taken from the authorities during the recent civil disorder, and that those returning the weapons will not be prosecuted.
In his weekly Sunday morning televised address to the public Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the Cabinet will present a bill to Parliament to permit those who stole or otherwise have possession of weapons taken during the March to May anti-government to return them to the state.
Such weapons now in private hands must be returned to the authorities within 60 days after Parliamentary approval.
Those who return the weapons to the authorities within the stated period will not be charged, he said.
Mr Abhisit said the draft bill is now being considered by the Council of State Office, the government’s law scrutiny unit. After the process is completed, it will be submitted to the House of Representatives in August for its approval.
He urged both the House and the Senate to approve it so that it could become law “as soon as possible”.
“I hope that it will become a channel in reducing the problem of war weapons problem being in the hands of those creating unrest," Mr Abhisit said, "saboteurs and criminals.”
Regarding the recent Cabinet decision to maintain the emergency decree in 19 provinces, including Bangkok, for another three months after it expired Wednesday, Mr Abhisit said extending the decree was not aimed at violating people’s rights or to imprison anyone forever.
He said the government would try to lift the emergency decree so that normalcy can return to the 19 provinces as soon as possible. The special law should not stay for too long, he added.
If state officials gain more confidence that they can control situation in the country the emergency decree could be lifted even before it expires, Mr Abhisit said. (MCOT online news)
In his weekly Sunday morning televised address to the public Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the Cabinet will present a bill to Parliament to permit those who stole or otherwise have possession of weapons taken during the March to May anti-government to return them to the state.
Such weapons now in private hands must be returned to the authorities within 60 days after Parliamentary approval.
Those who return the weapons to the authorities within the stated period will not be charged, he said.
Mr Abhisit said the draft bill is now being considered by the Council of State Office, the government’s law scrutiny unit. After the process is completed, it will be submitted to the House of Representatives in August for its approval.
He urged both the House and the Senate to approve it so that it could become law “as soon as possible”.
“I hope that it will become a channel in reducing the problem of war weapons problem being in the hands of those creating unrest," Mr Abhisit said, "saboteurs and criminals.”
Regarding the recent Cabinet decision to maintain the emergency decree in 19 provinces, including Bangkok, for another three months after it expired Wednesday, Mr Abhisit said extending the decree was not aimed at violating people’s rights or to imprison anyone forever.
He said the government would try to lift the emergency decree so that normalcy can return to the 19 provinces as soon as possible. The special law should not stay for too long, he added.
If state officials gain more confidence that they can control situation in the country the emergency decree could be lifted even before it expires, Mr Abhisit said. (MCOT online news)
