SEVERAL prominent political and social figures, including Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajivayesterday endorsed a civil-society statement calling for freedom of expression on the draft charter.

He also called for the revealing of steps to be taken if the charter does not pass the referendum.

The Democrats’ official stance will come later this month after Abhisit returns from abroad, the party’s deputy leader Sathit Pitutecha said yesterday.

Abhisit took part in signing the statement, which was released yesterday by the Platform of Concerned Citizens (PCC), a new network of scholars and prominent figures of various fields, including politicians.

Abhisit said he hoped the declaration would benefit the referendum process, and maybe the powers-that-be could improve the atmosphere of suppression, he said.

The surrounding environment could be one thing the people consider before deciding whether or not to accept the constitution draft, the Democrat politician said.

The statement was issued by the PCC around two months after an earlier one viewed the referendum law as a strict regulation against freedom of expression.

Buntoon Srethasirote, a key member of the group, told The Nation that although the government seemed to loosen its grip on freedom of expression by allowing some debates, there were still other points – including future options – that had not yet been made clear enough to shape the people’s decisions. The PCC’s statement called for all sides to take a stance on the charter referendum process, jointly calling for it to be conducted freely and fairly.

It laid out five requests for those in authority. First, the network called for the rights of the people to be respected, and that they should be able to engage constructively in inclusive debates with accurate, comprehensive, and thorough information on the draft constitution.

Second, there should be a clearly defined choice offered to the people before the August 7 referendum, providing options in terms of a process for what happens if the draft is rejected.

Third, if the charter draft fails to pass the referendum, there should be a commitment to drafting a new constitution inclusively.

Fourth, if these three proposals have been adopted, all sides shall respect the result of the referendum, and jointly ensure peace and stability in society.

Last, Thailand’s future constitution must safeguard the dignity of human beings and the rights of the people to no less a degree than that addressed in past constitutions – ensuring fair checks and balances of the use of sovereign power, supporting measurable reforms and decentralisation. There should also be measures to prevent corruption and conflict from escalating into violence, as well as sections that allow flexibility and timely amendment of the constitution in accordance with the changes to society and the law.

Besides Abhisit’s endorsement, the statement has been signed by more than 130 prominent figures and civil organisations. Other prominent politicians included Pheu Thai’s Chaturon Chaisang,Sudarat Keyuraphan and Watana Muangsook as well as Chart Thai Pattana’s Somsak Prisananantakul and Nikorn Chamnong.

Sathit said he had signed the statement, adding that the public should be allowed to participate in the process.

Currently, many people do not give importance to the vote because the tight restrictions have made them feel they cannot do anything, leaving the referendum distant from them, he added.