A special House committee studying an amnesty bill is urging the government to decide if it wants to add those who violated the lese majeste law following the death of Netiporn "Bung" Saneysangkhom.
Nikorn Jamnong, chairman of the House sub-committee tasked with studying data and statistics related to politically motivated cases, on Friday told reporters that the meeting discussed various topics, notably the demand of Thalufah (Through the Sky), a political group, to include people convicted under Section 112 of the Criminal Code in the amnesty law.
The discussion topics included the investigation into Netiporn's death, bail rights granted to those detained under Section 112, delaying legal proceedings and the amnesty bill itself.
As such, the summary, including opinions of the House committee, will be submitted to the government.
The majority of the House committee believed an amnesty panel should be established, he said. The sub-committee should study and categorise actions and then submit them to the main House committee for a vote next Thursday on whether the panel should act in an administrative role.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said parliament is ready to convene on the amnesty bill if it is brought up at the regular session.
Chaithawat Tulathon, leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), said the special House committee is considering topics to be submitted to the government. Among them is the issue of the release of political inmates.
Earlier, the premier stated some political inmate cases are matters that must be decided by a court, but if the government has a clear policy aimed at resolving political conflicts and restoring the rule of law, the government can negotiate with the judiciary to find a solution together.
Mr Chaithawat also demanded a right to bail for political activists. He said the right to bail can start with the police but recently police aren't allowing bail and detain those who are accused of violating Section 112 when they are summoned. For this type of case, the premier should have a clear policy for police to allow bail instead of leaving those decisions to the court as the police are directly under the supervision of the premier.
Regarding the death of Netiporn, Mr Chaithawat insisted the MFP never encouraged her to launch the hunger strike. The MFP also tried to persuade activist Tantawan Tuatulanon to end her hunger strike, he said.
