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(June 1,
2007/ Manila) In its resolution signed by its Chairman,
Philippine Senator Franklin M. Drilon, the Council of Asian
Liberals and Democrats (CALD) expressed its confidence that with
the ruling of the Thailand’s Constitutional Tribunal, the
Democrat Party’s legacy of democratic tradition will continue to
flourish and contribute to the development of Thailand and its
people.
The same
resolution reiterated CALD’s belief that political parties are
indispensable in any democratic country and hoped for the
immediate restoration of civilian rule in Thailand.
Electoral
fraud cases have been filed with the Thai Constitutional Courts
against five political parties, including the Democrat Party.
In a
landmark decision last May 30, the Constitution Tribunal has
cleared the Democrat Party of all charges of election fraud.
However, the Thai Rak Thai Party was found guilty of election
fraud and barred 111 executive members of the country's largest
party from politics for five years. The verdict also resulted to
the dissolution of the former ruling party of Thailand.
The
resolution supported the assertion of the Democrat Party that
DP’s criticisms of TRT were based on solid evidences regarding
the conduct of the TRT-government and its leader, ousted Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose leadership and governance
have proven to be disadvantageous to the country and its people.
It did not cooperate with the People’s Alliance for Democracy to
topple the TRT government.
In the same
resolution, CALD cited the importance of political parties as
indispensable democratic institutions that provide a structure
for political participation among the citizenry. CALD considered
the acquittal of DP, Thailand’s oldest political party that has
played a crucial role in Thailand’s democracy, as a positive
development as it would pave the way for the restoration of
civilian rule in Thailand.
Click
here for the
full text of the resolution. |
