A Thai version of the statement is available here: http://www.peoplesempowerment.org/th/redshirtstatement/thai

People’s Empowerment Foundation statement regarding the current political situation in Thailand

People’s Empowerment Foundation (PEF) is a registered independent non-governmental organization that was established in 2006 to address the needs of grassroots civil society networks in Thailand. PEF acts as the secretariat for a coalition of community-based organizations and maintains close working relationships with partner organizations and networks within the country and throughout Southeast Asia. Below are our thoughts on the current political situation in Thailand:

1. We support the people’s struggle for political rights, and we admire those who understand and respect the right of the people to protest. 2. The government, media, and other groups must tolerate differences and stop spreading negative images of the dissenters as anarchists and those who wish to destroy the monarchy. 3. We completely oppose any attempts to stage a coup and disagree with those who support and wish bring about a coup. A coup would only obstruct the democratic learning experience of the Thai people and of the democratization process in Thailand.4. We suggest that the government set up a democracy development fund to support the political learning process of citizens. The funds should be managed at the community level, without government intervention. In addition, the government must not create any conditions that will weaken the development of democracy, including any attempts to diminish the significance of elections. On the other hand, we recognize that democratization is a lengthy process, and to achieve a better quality democracy, those who have faith in democracy must also tolerate differences and forms of resistance that take place during this transition.

5. During this intense political confrontation, the government must be very much concerned with the rights and safety of the protesters. The government and protest leaders must communicate with the protesters and their opponents to make clear that the protest is not a deadly war aimed at getting rid of each other. Both sides must understand that protest is part of the democratic process. Regardless of the success of the protesters to achieve their goals, everyone involved must comply with democratic principles and freedom of speech, which are fully guaranteed in the constitution. 6. From now on, the government must consult all stakeholders about any political decision that will infringe upon the political freedoms of citizens, such as the imposition of the Internal Security Act, prior to the government decision.

7. It is clear that the current protest is a peaceful gathering and based on Thai constitutional rights. However, the demand to dissolve the parliament was denied by the government. We request that the protesters, the Thai public, the Thai government, and all other parties involved respect the principles of peaceful protest at this time and in the future.

People’s Empowerment Foundation16 March 2010