United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) chairwoman Tida Tawornseth has vowed to continue to push for a general amnesty for political prisoners.
Ms Tida yesterday outlined the group's action plan for 2013 at UDD headquarters.
She said the UDD would step up efforts to secure the release of political prisoners before they died in detention.
The UDD will push for an amnesty law to exonerate all political offenders since the Sept 19, 2006 coup, although core protest leaders and state authorities responsible for dispersing the protesters should not be let off, Ms Tida said.
"This is an important mission of the UDD," she said.
As well as the amnesty campaign, she said the UDD would support the government's plan to amend the constitution, adding that parliament should proceed with the third reading of a charter rewrite bill which has now stalled before the House.
She said the charter rewrite bid would present a major challenge for the UDD and the government next year. The bid will be met with opposition from those who are afraid of constitutional amendments, including the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy and the Pitak Siam group, she said.
She urged red-shirt supporters to come forward and shield the government against attacks by its opponents.
Ms Tida reiterated the UDD's opposition to a public referendum on charter amendment which she said was a trap set by the amart (ruling elite).
"The government must think about [a referendum] carefully because we walk on the same path. If you fall into the trap, so could we," she said.
Ms Tida also called on the government to grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to investigate the 2010 clashes between security forces and red-shirt protesters.
Meanwhile, red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana, chairman of the Khon Rak Udon (We Love Udon) group, said yesterday he wanted nothing to do with the aftermath of the death of Wanchai Raksa-nguansilp, a jailed red-shirt supporter who died in Lak Si temporary prison on Thursday.
Mr Kwanchai said he had tried to help red-shirt protesters, including Wanchai, who were accused of setting fire to Muang Udon Thani municipality office on May 19, 2010. He said he requested bail for them until they were found guilty and sentenced to jail. But he said the group still blamed him for not helping.
In October last year, Udon Thani provincial court sentenced Wanchai to 22 years and six months imprisonment for trespassing and setting fire to the municipality office. He was later moved from the provincial prison to Lak Si prison for political prisoners.
Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said the Liberties and Rights Protection Department under the Justice Ministry would help Wanchai's family.