The Community Organisation Development Assemby has proposed the Community Organisation Council Bill to the Cabinet on June 5, through the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. The bill is now under the consideration of the Council of State after the Interior Ministry opposed the bill saying it overlap with works of the local administrative organizations.

An apparent movement within the past week by the Interior Ministry to distort public understanding of the objectives of the bill, and in establishing mobs in an attempt to bring this bill down is a great cause for concern.

The Assembly, thus, would like to bring the following crucial points about the Community Organisation Council bill to the public attention for accurate understanding

• The bill emphasise the strengthening of the community organizations at the grassroots. It is not a state-mobilised organization allegedly accused by the Interior Ministry. The authorization of the grassroots' organization, as is clearly stated in Article 6 of the bill, will promote the development of the direct or participatory democracy, as such organization will be in a better position to understand and manage local needs and problems.
• 2) Instead of aiming to get hold of power, this bill purports as stipulated in Article 19, to promote participation and coordination of local community organizations needed in vital process like development planning and/or policies.

Thus, to create peace and mutual understanding in the society, the Assembly calls on the following:

First, the Interior Ministry must stop creating confusion or distortion of the objective and contents of the Community Organisation Council bill that might lead to misunderstanding and division. It must also stop intimidating community leaders, kamnans and village heads who support this bill.

Second, all involved parties: the Tambon Administrative Organisation, the Provincial Administrative Organisation, community leaders, kamnans and village heads, scholars, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the media must should thoroughly study to understand the bill accurately.

Third, the Assembly calls on the community organizations, scholars, NGOs, and the general public that understands the importance of the development of grassroots democracy to support the civil movement for the endorsement of this bill.     

Translated by Mukdawan Sakoon