CALD Resolution No. 1 S. 2015

CALD Resolution No. 1 S. 2015

CALD resolution calling for a nation-wide referendum on the draft of Thailand’s new constitution, and a clear roadmap to democracy that manifests commitment to return power to the people as soon as possible

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD):

Recalling that almost a year ago, following months of anti-government street protests, the military took over the reins of government in Thailand in a bid “to restore order and embark on necessary political reforms”;

Aware that as a result of the take-over, the military repealed the 2007 constitution, abolished democratic institutions and curtailed fundamental freedoms such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly;

Noting that since then, the military consolidated political power by establishing the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and issuing an interim constitution which allowed it to handpick members of the national legisture, who subsequently unanimously chose the military leader as the country’s prime minister;

Noting further that Article 44 of the interim constitution allowed the interim government sweeping powers “to curb acts deemed harmful to national peace and stability”;

Aware that the interim government also constituted a Constitution Drafting Commmittee (CDC) to craft a new constitution intended to address the root causes of Thailand’s deep political divide;

Noting that the available 315-article draft of the new constitution, which has recently been submitted by the CDC to the NCPO and the cabinet for comments, is being debated among various stakeholders as to whether it can address effectively the fundamental issues that resulted in tumultuous Thai politics of the past decade;

Hereby:

Calls for a new constitution that will be more conducive to the democratization process of Thailand;

Strongly believes that the new constitution, in both process and substance, must be accepted by the people through a nation-wide referendum; anything less might trigger a new vicious cycle of street demonstrations and military interventions which adversely affects Thailand’s democratic stability; and

Urges the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who are currently gathered in Malaysia for the 26^th ASEAN Summit to use the opportunity to push the Thai leadership to come up with a clear roadmap to democracy that manifests its commitment to return political power to the people as soon as possible.

For the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats:

Oyun Sanjaasuren, MP

Chairperson

Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

26 April 2015

Categorised in: Resolutions

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