The government will consider suggestions from international peace experts on its reconciliation plan, but insists on forging ahead with a political amnesty.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, Priscilla Hayner, senior adviser to the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair speak at the Special Lecture Series on ‘Uniting for the Future: Learning from Each Other’s Experiences’, held at the Plaza Athenee Hotel yesterday. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana made the remark after Monday's peace forum, which featured several former world leaders and prominent experts.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair, former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, and Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue senior adviser Priscilla Hayner all joined the forum as guest speakers to offer their views on Thai political strife.
The event, titled "Uniting for the Future: Learning from Each Other's Experiences," was held at the Plaza Athenee Hotel by Chulalongkorn University's Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) and the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs.
The road to national reconciliation should respect the voice of the minority, learn from past lessons and avoid issuing any amnesty for specific interests, the forum was told.
Mr Phongthep, who is also in charge of inviting stakeholders to the government's political reform assembly, said he agreed with the speakers' views that the country should look to the future rather than being stuck in the past.
The suggestions were in line with the government's reform assembly policy, he said.
"I agree with the forum speakers that the amnesty bill cannot exonerate every case and that the bill is not a complete solution," Mr Phongthep said.
He added, however, that the government would press ahead with the amnesty bill proposed by Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema.
The bill is being vetted by a House committee after passing its first reading last month.
At the forum, Mr Blair suggested Thailand's reconciliation effort should be based on five principles and solved by its own people, rather than outsiders.
He said the first principle was that opportunities must be shared by all rather than a select few.
Secondly, the past should be examined honestly but never judged.
"Reconciliation is never going to be about people changing their minds about the past, but it is about changing their minds for the future," he said.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, right, delivers his speech next to former Finland President Martti Ahtisaari, left, and Priscilla Hayner, Senior Advisor Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue during the 'Uniting for the Future' reconciliation forum in Bangkok on Monday. (EPA photo)
Third, a future framework should be drawn to enable people to talk about the past and future.
Fourth, Mr Blair said that reconciliation will come from a genuine democracy that does not discriminate against the minority.
Democracy is not about domination by the majority, but about sharing space and working together, he said.
The final principle was effective governance.
"It is not easy by the way. But however difficult it seems, it is worth trying," he said.
Mr Blair made a point at the start of his speech that he was not paid for his appearance.
Mr Ahtisaari, who won the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, said peace was not only an outcome but a process.
Societies which experienced conflict for decades needed to pay attention to ensure their policies promoted proper education, health care and good living standards to all citizens.
Ms Hayner said reconciliation would not work if there was a hidden agenda at play.
"Reconciliation cannot mean overcoming an opponent to achieve a political purpose. It must build trust between parties and build common interests," she said.
Ms Hayner said a reconciliation process cannot be rushed, but had to be treated with care and respect.
Similarly, she said any amnesty plan should progress with respect for victims and should not have specific political interests at heart.
The investigation into past political conflicts should continue even after an amnesty was granted, said Ms Hayner who was once part of Thailand's Truth for Reconciliation Commission to solve division after the 2010 political unrest.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said democracy was not a system of majority rule, but one which requires equality and mutual respect among all citizens.
After the forum, Mr Blair met Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Korn Chatikavanij. Mr Korn later wrote on his Facebook page that he and Mr Abhisit told Mr Blair the party had not joined the government's reform assembly since the government had failed to show sincerity about reform.
