Thai Govt Paves Way For Release Of Red Shirts

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RECONCILIATION BOOST

Govt paves way for release of red shirts

By The Nation

Cabinet accepts recommendation of Kanit panel

In a move that could boost the chances of elusive reconciliation with the anti-government movement, the Cabinet yesterday gave the green light for the temporary release of some of the 104 red-shirt members who have been detained in connection the Bangkok unrest in April and May.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that in practice, public prosecutors, police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) would not oppose bail applications for those reds facing misdemeanour charges. He stressed that the courts would, however, have the final say on whether to grant bail.

The Cabinet made the decision after agreeing to lift the state of emergency which had been in place in Bangkok and its outskirts. The lifting of the emergency decree is effective today.

The temporary release of some of the red shirts is being processed upon the recommendation of the Kanit na Nakorn panel, which is tasked with seeking truth and reconciliation related to the unrest, the PM said.

Kanit's panel reasoned in its proposal to the Cabinet that all detainees have a right to be temporarily freed on bail, and that their freedom would persuade them to seek a peaceful solution to the country's political crisis.

Their original detention had not been conducted in line with legal procedures and basically violated their human rights, it said.

Kanit praised the Cabinet decision, saying it was a good sign for national reconciliation. "It's good that our proposal has yielded a positive result for society," he said.

The Rights and Liberties Protection Department has been designated the primary agency in charge of assisting the detained red shirts to apply for bail, Abhisit said, adding that the applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

In regard to the bail applications involving protest leaders, justice officials made a prison visit last Friday and were told that the leaders did not need government assistance for a bond arrangement, the premier said.

In the cases involving the leaders, the prosecution will drop its opposition to their bail applications, he said.

Of the 104 detainees, most have been held in relation to minor violations such as the blocking of traffic, joining the protest and threatening the government, said DSI chief Tharit Pengdit.

Those detained in relation to serious crimes, such as launching M-79 grenades towards security officials and members of the general public, would not obtain bail, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the prime minister was keen to secure the release of the detainees, but his efforts had only recently become news because of the PM's meeting last week with red-shirt leader Thida Thawornseth.

Suthep said he expected those facing misdemeanour charges to be among the first batch to be set free.

The bail applications for protest leaders will hinge on the charges against them and the degree of their alleged involvement in inciting the violence, he added.

He said the movement's more pacific leaders, like weng Tojirakarn and Kokaew Pikulthong, should have a strong chance of a favourable bail review.

Following the Cabinet decision giving the green light for the detainees to apply for bail, Thida held a meeting with Rights and Liberties Protection Department director-general Suwana Suwanjutha to discuss the details about securing the release of the red shirts and their leaders.

Thida said members of the movement who are set free should continue their political activities for the benefit of the country.

"It would be of no use to get out and become dead wood. They should do something for national reconciliation and the future good of the country," she said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-22