(CTN News) – The Move Forward Party (MFP) introduced three charter modification legislation Wednesday, aiming to reduce the impact of the military regime’s commands, prevent future coups, and repeal the junta-backed 20-year national policy.
Move Forward Party list MP Parit Wacharasindhu stated that, while the Pheu Thai-led administration has vowed to work for the crafting of a new charter, the process might take up to two years. The Move Forward Party believes that amending relevant portions at the same time is required to address urgent issues.
According to Mr. Parit, the three legislation are intended to ameliorate the impacts of the 2014 putsch, and political parties are expected to support them. The measures will be submitted to the Lower House for consideration before being sent to the Senate.
Of the three measures, one proposes repealing Section 279 of the charter, which states that all announcements and orders issued by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and its head are valid and constitutional.
Move Forward Party’s Initiative to Ban Amnesty for Coup Makers
If the clause is repealed, those harmed by the NCPO’s acts will be able to challenge the junta’s orders that they believe infringe their civil rights and liberties, he said.
Mr Parit stated that the Move Forward Party will also advocate for the passage of another statute to overturn NCPO orders that are deemed detrimental to the public interest. The party proposed the bill in July, but it was designated as a finance-related item, which means it needs the prime minister’s assent to move forward.
Another bill aims to prevent and defeat future coups, he stated.
It will empower state personnel to defy commands from those attempting to grab power and ban judges from acknowledging a coup as a means of establishing a legal administration. It will prohibit amnesty for coup leaders while allowing individuals to file treason charges against them.
“The party will advocate for anti-coup measures in the constitution, push for related laws such as military reforms, and raise public awareness that conflicts should be resolved through political mechanisms,” according to him.
According to Mr Parit, the most recent draft proposes removing the 20-year national strategy and the national reform plan, both of which are governed by Sections 16 and 65 of the constitution.
While the party agrees that the country requires a long-term development strategy, he points out that the existing one was developed during the military rule with insufficient civilian involvement.
Source: Bangkok Post
