The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) is considering granting an amnesty to red s
hirt demonstrators who violated the emergency decree.
hirt demonstrators who violated the emergency decree.Tharit Pengdit, chief of the Department of Special Investigation, said yesterday the agency has been asked to look at drafting a law granting a pardon to protesters who do not face terrorism charges.
Mr Tharit said the department will discuss the matter with the Council of State.
A working panel will study the CRES proposal which was floated in support of the government's road map to national reconciliation.
Tens of thousands of red shirts took part in the two-month rally which was marred by violence. A total of 89 people were killed and almost 2,000 injured.
Mr Tharit said the CRES had proposed the law because tens of thousands of those people were not involved in violence.
"If the special law is introduced, those who were arrested but not charged with terrorism will be released," he said.
People found to have violated the emergency decree face a jail term of six months to two years. Mr Tharit said some of those arrested under the emergency decree are being prosecuted.
Asked about the deaths of two red shirt guards who were killed on Thursday, one in Nakhon Ratchasima and the other in Chon Buri, Mr Tharit said an investigation is under way to establish if the killings were related to the protest.
Mr Tharit said the department will discuss the matter with the Council of State.
A working panel will study the CRES proposal which was floated in support of the government's road map to national reconciliation.
Tens of thousands of red shirts took part in the two-month rally which was marred by violence. A total of 89 people were killed and almost 2,000 injured.
Mr Tharit said the CRES had proposed the law because tens of thousands of those people were not involved in violence.
"If the special law is introduced, those who were arrested but not charged with terrorism will be released," he said.
People found to have violated the emergency decree face a jail term of six months to two years. Mr Tharit said some of those arrested under the emergency decree are being prosecuted.
Asked about the deaths of two red shirt guards who were killed on Thursday, one in Nakhon Ratchasima and the other in Chon Buri, Mr Tharit said an investigation is under way to establish if the killings were related to the protest.
The two cases could be handed over to the DSI, depending on the result of police inquiries.
The killings of the two red shirt guards triggered accusations from core red shirt leaders that the government is hunting them down, which could endanger the national reconciliation plan.
The proposed amnesty was welcomed by one academic, who believe it should reduce friction and smooth the government's reconciliation process.
Sompan Techa-athik, a social scientist at Khon Kaen University, said the proposal separates innocent protesters from hard-liners bent on violence.
"I think some wrongdoers may enjoy the benefit, but the measure is good in the long run. It will not expand the conflict and fits in with the government's reconciliation plan," he said.
But Mr Sompan also warned the proposed amnesty might encourage more protests and undermine the sanctity of the law. He called on the government to speed up its work and address protesters' concerns.
"These people are easily provoked and persuaded," he said.
Mr Sompan said the government must show its sincerity in tackling people's problems and not turn it into a political ploy to help prolong its stay in power.
Legal specialist Preecha Suwannathat said the government has the authority to propose an amnesty to parliament without involving the DSI.
The matter was complicated, as the government must also ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
The New Politics Party yesterday lashed out at the government for delays in mapping out the reconciliation road map.
The killings of the two red shirt guards triggered accusations from core red shirt leaders that the government is hunting them down, which could endanger the national reconciliation plan.
The proposed amnesty was welcomed by one academic, who believe it should reduce friction and smooth the government's reconciliation process.
Sompan Techa-athik, a social scientist at Khon Kaen University, said the proposal separates innocent protesters from hard-liners bent on violence.
"I think some wrongdoers may enjoy the benefit, but the measure is good in the long run. It will not expand the conflict and fits in with the government's reconciliation plan," he said.
But Mr Sompan also warned the proposed amnesty might encourage more protests and undermine the sanctity of the law. He called on the government to speed up its work and address protesters' concerns.
"These people are easily provoked and persuaded," he said.
Mr Sompan said the government must show its sincerity in tackling people's problems and not turn it into a political ploy to help prolong its stay in power.
Legal specialist Preecha Suwannathat said the government has the authority to propose an amnesty to parliament without involving the DSI.
The matter was complicated, as the government must also ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
The New Politics Party yesterday lashed out at the government for delays in mapping out the reconciliation road map.
Party spokesman Samran Rodpetch said the government was simply buying time and shoring up its image as it had so far failed to establish a framework.
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