Chalerm says 'no' to decree to free reds

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Chalerm says 'no' to decree to free reds

Published: 31 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has rejected the possibility of the government issuing an executive decree to free red-shirt political prisoners.

Mr Chalerm was responding yesterday to the demand of a red-shirt-affiliated group called "January 29 for the Release of Political Prisoners."The deputy prime minister said if such a decree is issued, some parties would ask the Constitution Court to rule on its legality. It would then be nullified because it contradicts Section 184 of the charter.

The section permits executive decrees only when urgent action is necessary for national security, public safety, the security of the economy or the prevention of a public disaster. None of those grounds would qualify, he said.

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pquinlan
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Discussion 5 : 01 Feb 2013 at 19.375
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Where are you, Madam PM, on this most important issue for your most ardent supporters?
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bangmodken
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Discussion 4 : 01 Feb 2013 at 18.454
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"Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the government was unlikely to push for an amnesty for jailed red-shirt demonstrators unless it also benefited the "big boss".

Funny how the independent,grassroot,pro-democracy "red" posters here will rather point fingers at everyone else than criticize their greedy and corrupt leadership in UDD,the PTP and Thaksin. It speaks volumes!
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DONHUAN
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Discussion 3 : 31 Jan 2013 at 12.593
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Chalerm’s concern is valid in that this executive decree by the government will rouse the yellow-shirts to react which in turn will cause the RED-shirts to response in kind. The under current is still too strong for any one party to unilaterally take without considering the adverse effect from the other opposing groups. The country cannot afford another round of senseless street violence to no avail. The best strategy forward is a cooling-off period, say 4 years, while keeping the negotiation on amnesty / reconciliation on-going with all parties concerned and as well as improving the livelihood of the people.
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boontong
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Discussion 2 : 31 Jan 2013 at 08.532
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"Mr Abhisit said his Democrat Party did not oppose an amnesty for people who had breached the state of emergency out of their political beliefs." Will he campaigns and rally for it? How about those unarmed demonstrators with terrorism charges?
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ringmaster
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Discussion 1 : 31 Jan 2013 at 03.001
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"Mr Abhisit criticised the government for holding jailed red shirts hostage." Very ironic since he was the one who jailed them in the first place.
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Chalerm says 'no' to decree to free reds | Bangkok Post: news