Truth and Thai Amnesty

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Editorial:
Truth and Amnesty
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- The stream against the Draft ‘Amnesty-for-all’ bill seems to have become stronger and stronger, not only among Thai people, but also foreigners, as the situation during the 2010 Black May resulted in the death of foreigners, too.

The draft bill, which allows Amnesty to any party involving in the military crackdown, including the ones who made decision that had caused the death to the victims, raises questions whether how Thailand will answer to the global community.

So far, only Ms. Elisabetta Polengi, a sister of the Italian photographer who died during the clash, has submitted an open letter against the draft amnesty bill.

Mr. Polenghi, though only represent one life, still holds special meanings. Moreover, his death should also represents some particularly importance for the Global Community to see how Thailand assesses the circumstances.

One case study, which could be a good example for the case is a peace and reconciliation process adopted by Rwanda after the Rwanda Genocide, which resulted in a massacre of 1994 national ethnic conflicts.

The peace process, then, did not run in a way which every party were given amnesty, but rather relied heavily on the ruling of the Court of Justice, both domestically and internationally, to judge the wrongdoing of the commanders.

The process in Rwanda is partly the same as how the new generation Germans learn that the massacre under the ruling of Fuhre Adolf Hitler should never occur again.

The process is not aimed to be achieved in order to make avenge, but to create universal understanding in the society.

Thai people are known to easily forget and forgive once they confront with issues. However, such phrase should be outdated, as the country is trying to adopt the universal rule of law.

And universality, here, means we must respect human rights and equality.

When basic right is violated, the society should learn, together, not to make the same mistake again.

Forgiving, in religious terms, is a way to release sorrow from one’s mind.

Meanwhile, amnesty, as it is internationally understood, is a way to avoid extreme penalty or punishment.

And both ideas are different, in terms of helping the society to find the truth.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE16QXpOalV4TkE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-10-30

[Bakseeda]

Hi guys, Yes, this is Thailand...We all know the Amnesty Bill, the 2.2 trillion loan.. is all about one man... We hate it or we are jealous of him or we just cannot fathom the working of a Thai guys mind. Here is a man who, after finding out that his son was smoking YaBa, ordered the mass murder of all suspected drug dealers in Bangkok.. I hear all Bangkok lesbians were terrified that the same man would discover that his daughter was also a lesbian..! Watch and enjoy...

[timewilltell]

And what is the Universal Rule of Law? More important who in their right mind think Thailand is trying to move towards it?

The Rule of Law has many differing definitions. As defined by the World Justice Project the four main principles are:

1. The government and its officials and agents as well as individuals and private entities are accountable under the law.

I don't see much accountability anywhere in the Thai model - how many politicians have been prosecuted and jailed for the rampant corruption in the past decade - compare with Indonesia, Malaysia and China

2. The laws are clear, publicized, stable and just, are applied evenly, and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property.

Thai laws are anything but applied evenly - so many cases where the people flee and then escape justice through bribery, statute of limitations and the like compared with people with little financial backing.

3. The process by which the laws are enacted, administered and enforced is accessible, fair and efficient.

One can hardly call the process efficient and the current shenanigans doesn't make the process look too fair either.

4. Justice is delivered timely by competent, ethical, and independent representatives and neutrals who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources, and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.

The process is not timely, wholly skewed to the Defence who employ delay to ramp up costs for the prosecution with no costs awarded against them in this system, there are a wholly insufficient number of judges especially in tourist areas - so Jo joy on this front either.

Of course the WJP may not be the authority on the matter but you could pick just about any other definition and see Thailand is making little if any effort to move closer toward any Universal Definition from the position as it stood 5 years ago.

[razer]

Accountability is not Thai culture.

[FangFerang]

"Mr. Polenghi, though only represent one life, still holds special meanings."

A fine example of ThEnglish. How odd. Does anyone believe that a lone Italian woman influences policy here?

To rephrase, "A fine example of Tinglish. How ot. Does anyone be leave that alone Italian woe man influences policey here?"

Guys, they know we post. They read what we type. Not just for les majeste, they also want to know what we are saying, even if they think we are inferior. Make a note of it.....or maki knot off it, with wasabe for the maki. (Check sushi for 'maki' reference).

"We are not in Kansas anymore, Toto."

Edited October 30, 2013 by FangFerang