CALD Execom Passes Resolution on Thailand

Members of the CALD Executive Committee who convened in Manila, Philippines on 8 November 2013 unanimously passed a resolution expressing CALD’s strong support to the Thai people’s rights to peacefully organize and express their opinion against the passage of the controversial Amnesty Act.

The said piece of legislation provides blanket amnesty to “…the persons accused of wrongdoings…from 2004 to 8 August 2013 regardless of their role whether the persons are instigators, supporters, or persons who ordered the criminal act, or the principal, if the act is unlawful, the persons shall be free from the liability and responsibility.”

Widely perceived as a way for ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to the country and escape criminal liability, the Act resulted in massive demonstrations in Bangkok and surrounding areas.  CALD passed the resolution at the height of the protests denouncing the undue haste the Thai House of Representatives passed the bill.  The full text of the resolution can be found here: CALD Resolution No. 3.

In response to public pressure, the Thai Senate voted down the Amnesty Act on 11 November 2013.  While this temporarily eased the political tensions, there are fears that the ruling Puea Thai Party, which controls the Lower House of Parliament, would re-introduce the bill within 180 days.