The first task before the independent fact-finding committee for national reconciliation is to win the public trust and reduce suspicions about its neutrality, speakers at a seminar organised by the panel said yesterday.
Kanit na Nakorn, appointed by the prime minister to head the panel, promised yesterday it would adhere to international principles of justice in order to help Thailand overcome the political crisis.
He said the panel would stress consultation to ensure transparency and would remain independent and neutral.
"We will do our best to find a solution acceptable to all sides in society. We will refer to the international practice on human rights, humanity and rule of law," he told yesterday's seminar at the Rama Gardens Hotel.
More than 100 people attended the seminar, including academics, human-rights activists, foreign dignitaries and participants in the recent political unrest.
Homayoun Alizadeh, regional representative for Asia-Pacific in the United Nations' Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, praised Thailand for trying to create a process of reconciliation to solve the political conflict.
However, he warned that giving amnesty to people committing crimes and violating human rights in the recent political unrest would not solve the problem. He cited as an example similar cases in Sudan and Afghanistan. He said those countries gave amnesty to people behind their civil wars and no reconciliation was achieved.
"Sacrificing justice for peace eventually will not lead to stability," he said.
He said that as the reconciliation process gets underway, investigation should continue to find the culprits from both sides who violated human rights.
South African Ambassador to Thailand, Douglas Gibson, called on Thai people to help end the severe conflict between compatriots.
He said that although his country's government was ready to help and support the effort, it eventually depended on the Thai people to solve the problem.
Sunai Phasuk, country representative of Human Rights Watch, said the panel's top priority should be to find the truth about what happened during the recent political turmoil. He said misinformation among certain groups could lead to a new outbreak of violence.
General Ekkachai Srivilas, director of the Office of Peace and Governance at the King Prajadhipok's Institute, said the recent conflict in Thailand was "severe" in accordance with a definition by the United Nations. "It's not over yet. An unconventional war is set to begin," he said.