More than 40 pro-democracy and grassroots organisations including the anti-coup student group New Democracy Movement (NDM) yesterday issued a joint statement rejecting the charter draft, while suggesting that a new draft council should be set up if the present draft is rejected in the referendum.

The 43 groups, including leading civil organisations like the Assembly of the Poor and the legal association Nitirat, spelled out several reasons why they could not accept the draft.

They said drafters were selected by the junta, which illegally took over the country. Second, the statement said, the draft would move the country backward as the powers-that-be cling to power via the appointed Senate.

Third, people could not rely on the junta because it infringes on human rights, the statement said.

The fourth stated reason is that the draft will be difficult to amend in the future.

The statement was unveiled at the end of an all-day seminar titled “Concerning the Charter Draft Referendum, Determining People’s Future” held at Thammasat University’s Tha Phra Chan campus.

The seminar was the second gathering after human rights scholars and politicians formed the new Platform of Concerned Citizens group, which has issued statements calling for a free and fair referendum process and an inclusive charter drafting process in the future if necessary.

Representatives of the group said the draft does not guarantee basic rights such as free education and access to national resources.

Somchai Krajangsaeng, a representative from the People’s Network for Welfare State group, proposed that if the draft is rejected, a new constitution drafting council should be set up to write a draft in line with democratic norms.

Worajet Pakeerat, a prominent law academic at Thammasat University and a founder of Nitirat, said the draft is unacceptable because it does not give a high priority to people, who will not be allowed to vote for the Senate.

The draft stipulates that senators will be selected by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the appointed Senate will be responsible for deliberating and screening laws which directly affect people, he said.

He said people’s votes would be devalued because the mixed-member apportionment election method allows them to mark only one ballot, instead of two as in the past, when selecting representatives and the prime minister also could be unelected.

Because the draft will be difficult to amend “the country has to be under this condition for a long time”, Worajet said.

The draft also prolongs the use of Article 44 of the 2014 interim charter, which gives the junta sweeping powers.

Asdang Panikabutr, an independent political science scholar, said the draft violates democratic norms and would not provide equal opportunities for low-income people.

“I am not distorting information, but I must say this draft is the worst, considering article by article in the draft,” Asdang said, adding that it would not suppress corruption.

He said there could be an uprising if the draft passes the referendum and the powers-that-be cling to power.

Outside the event hall, paintings mocking the current political situation were also on display while food and products were sold to raise funds for NDM activities.