CDC agrees to drop crisis panel
The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) yesterday agreed to remove the clause in the draft charter that would establish an ad hoc panel to resolve national crises, but it will maintain the controversial and much-criticised clause that gives amnesty to the September 19 coup-makers.
The CDC convened after receiving recommendations from three of 12 agencies: the Parliament Ombudsman, the National Human Rights Commission and the National Economic Social and Development Board.CDC deputy chairman Charan Pakdithanakul said he agreed with the recommendation to remove the panel to solve national crises, because many believed the idea of setting up such a panel ran contrary to democratic principles. "It's not worth retaining the clause, because there would be more disadvantages than benefits," he said. But the CDC decided to retain Article 299, which legitimises the acts and orders of the September 19 coup-makers. CDC secretary Somkid Lertpaitoon told the committee some National Legislative Assembly members wanted this article removed but that he proposed it be kept. None of the CDC members objected to his proposal. Somkid later told reporters the CDC had not reached a decision on whether senators should be appointed or elected. The committee decided to await recommendations from the other nine agencies before making a decision. He said some NLA members wanted senators to be elected, while others wanted a mixed system of election and appointment. Public hearings and the responses from the three agencies indicate opposition to the idea of appointing senators. However, CDC members strongly oppose the idea of elected senators.
|
