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FOR RECONCILIATION IN THAILAND Rene Wadlow, Representative to the United Nations, and Senior Vice-President, Association of World Citizens In a spirit of compassion, Citizens of the World address an appeal to all in Thailand to work actively for reconciliation after the long demonstrations in Bangkok of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), popularly known as "The Red Shirts" and their displacement by the military and the police. All, from the individual through national societies to the world at large need to develop a spirit of compassion for every being who lives on this one small planet and calls it home. Today, there is an increase in society's awareness of the importance of compassion. Thus, events in Thailand indicating the deep socio-economic divisions of society concern us all. As Citizens of the World, active in the human rights work of the United Nations, we stress that dignity and the full development of the human personality is the aim of all human rights legislation and activity. We know that there are many obstacles to this full development of the human personality. But if the aim is kept clearly in mind and the human spirit focused, humanity will advance toward harmony and growth. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed by Resolution A/61/L.22, the year 2009 as the International Year of Reconciliation. World Citizens were active in these UN activities stressing that reconciliation needs to be seen as not only reconciliation between two persons or groups, but as reconciliation for something. Reconciliation is not merely the repair of the past, but reconciliation is a bridge to the future. Reconciliation has to do with how antagonists construct a new common future together. Reconciliation is a process in which many can participate in the search for solutions to the problems which have created the conflicts. Reconciliation is not the 'victory' of one side over the other, but rather works to alter the relationships from that of resentment and hostility to that of friendship and harmony. There is a need to break the cycle of deep suspicion, resentment and revenge so that a new harmonious society will emerge in which the basic needs of all will be met. We are sure that within the people, the society and the culture of Thailand, there are the intellectual, moral and spiritual resources available to carry out this crucial task. |
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