Feedback set to be sought on constitution
The first draft of the 2007 charter was finalised yesterday, after a last-minute attempt by a constitution drafter to discuss the negative repercussions of allowing a de-facto amnesty for the military junta who staged the September 19 coup was denied by Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Prasong Soonsiri.
Drafter Supot Kaimuk yesterday said the issue had become a "hot potato" since it was revealed last week and that the committee should perhaps discuss it. However, Prasong intervened to make sure no discussion took place. Prasong will hand the first draft to Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) tomorrow but the official hand-over ceremony is likely to be held next week, on April 26. The Assembly, along with many organisations, will be required by the junta-penned interim constitution to provide feedback and reaction for possible amendments. Other organisations required to provide feedback include all the so-called independent organisations under the 1998 charter, the three courts of law, the Cabinet, the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly, the Council for National Security (CNS) and some 150 plus universities across the Kingdom. Already, two pressure groups have vowed to reject the charter if it does not accommodate their wishes. An alliance for people with disabilities say they wanted a clearer wording that would guarantee them "rights to accessibility". This did not appear in the first draft finalised yesterday, but drafter Choochai Suphawongse promised to look into it and said there was still time to have it added into the second draft. Another is more controversial: a Buddhist group who is calling for the recognition of Buddhism as the state religion in the new charter. Prasong yesterday accused a political group of being behind the on-going protest in front of Parliament, but failed to name it. "Our chance of succeeding is fair," said Phra Panyamethee of Wat Chadraram, a senior monk, and one of leaders the group. "We don't want do anything harsh because the government and the CNS are fragile." The monk said although some politicians may be offering support or donations, it was against monks' practise to refuse it. However, he denied the protest was being masterminded by anti-junta elements. In regard to fears that making Buddhism the national religion would lead to discord or even conflicts between Buddhists and believers of other faiths, such as Islam, the monk replied: "Buddhism is not like other religions. It is rather compassionate and can co-exist with other religions well."
Pravit Rojanaphruk The Nation
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