National unity will be impossible to achieve if an amnesty is ruled out of the reconciliation process, former Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmeechai has warned.
Mr Samart said yesterday he backed the Constitutional Drafting Committee’s plan to establish an independent body promoting national reconciliation.
But he said the body should also discuss the parameters for an amnesty.
Under the CDC plan, the body would be empowered to seek pardons for those who admitted to committing crimes during political conflicts. But it would not be able to propose any amnesty law.
"Pardons are for those who accept they have done wrong and have served their punishment. But several people involved in the political conflicts insist they did nothing wrong and are victims of injustice," Mr Samart said.
The former Chiang Rai lawmaker argued the only way to achieve true reconciliation was through an amnesty that sets clear guidelines for who should be absolved.
“Those who face politically-motivated charges should get amnesty, but the people who committed genuine wrongdoing must serve their punishment,” Mr Samart said.
But Anek Laothammathat, who is chairing a CDC reconciliation committee, said that amnesty proposals would be excluded from the new independent body’s work.
Addressing a National Reform Council seminar on political innovation, Mr Anek said the body would be limited to requesting pardons on behalf of suspects.
“If reconciliation equals amnesty, it is not reconciliation. The new constitution is designed to pave the way for reconciliation,” he said.
He added that those facing charges of corruption, lese majeste and other crimes must submit to legal action.
Mr Anek did not elaborate on the process to appoint 15 members to the independent body, but said they would not be linked to conflicting parties.