BANGKOK, Dec 23 – Kanit Na Nakhon, former chairman of Thailand’s Truth for Reconciliation Committee (TRC), today called on the attorney general to refrain from filing terrorism charges against two rival political groups to pave the way for peace in Thailand.
He said he has sent a letter to Attorney General Atthapol Yaisawang, asking him to withdraw all terrorism charges against members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) — the Yellow Shirts — and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship –the Red Shirts — to avert the impact on national stability and security.
Mr Kanit was appointed TRC chairman in the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva and continued holding the post in the following administration of Yingluck Shinawatra.
He said he clearly explained in an article on “terrorism” the negative consequences of the charges and the Attorney General’s Office failure to bring justice or initiate reconciliation among people in the nation.
He charged Mr Atthapol’s two predecessors with failing to perform their duties correctly and said that their refusal to fulfill their obligations could possibly ruin the state’s lawsuits.
The attorney general should withdraw all terrorism charges to bring peace back to the country, Mr Kanit advised.
He said his recommendations were also submitted to Mr Abhisit and Ms Yingluck, and the TRC which completed its duty in September last year made several proposals for peace and reconciliation in the country.
“The (Yingluck) government has done nothing as proposed by the TRC. Worse than that, it has intensified the conflicts by initiating the Amnesty Bill. TRC members and I agreed that we should push forward our proposals for the sake of the country and society,” said Mr Kanit.
