NRSA pulls ‘reprieve’ option

Seree cites confusion and strong opposition

The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA)’s political reform panel chairman has backed off in the face of government and political opposition to his proposal for a “reprieve” from court proceedings and convictions for all offenders in politicallymotivated cases during the last decade of unrest.

Announcing his decision yesterday, Seree Suwanphanont said the proposal could still be subsequently amended and presented.

His proposal was aimed at solving the problems arising from prolonged legal cases and political conflict given that previous proposals for issuing an amnesty decree were blocked due to stiff resistance.

While the motivation was to solve problems through a legal process, a majority of people in the political sector were affected instead.

“In fact, they should have proposed measures if they think they can do better than my proposal,” he said.

“Today, they may be opposed to it. But one day, if they happen to be in jail, they might think again,” said Mr Seree.

He said he would continue to explain how the proposed legislation would benefit society.

The chairman of the NRSA’s political reform panel said that under his proposal, anyone who had been legally charged and agreed they were in the wrong could plead guilty and be released, while those who believed they were innocent could fight their cases in court.

His proposal was confused by people who linked it with other issues such as criminal offences on the part of state officials and an amnesty for all political offenders, Mr Seree said. His proposal was also opposed by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who said a “reprieve” for political offenders would lead to more conflict rather than reconciliation.

Mr Seree said his proposal was intended to end legal cases and reduce conflict. “But if this caused a senior figure in the government to believe it would bring about further chaos, the proposal may have to be adjusted,” Mr Seree said.

He said those in the political sector should have sympathy for ordinary people who suffer hardship fighting their cases in court without any financial support for transport, accommodation and food.

When asked whether it was possible that those opposed to his proposal could be invited to exchange opinions, Mr Seree said he initially intended to do this. But in the face of heavy opposition, he could not do anything for the time being.

Mr Seree said his panel had studied reports on reconciliation prepared by nine committees, including the proposal by Anek Laothammathat of the nowdefunct National Reform Council. He said his panel would look into those reports again to explore ways out of the conflict.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam, meanwhile, declined to comment on remarks by some critics of the Sereeled panel’s proposal that it was tended to benefit a specific political side.