Amendments likely to social issues bills

Young offenders and family law discussed

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

The cabinet yesterday proposed a number of amendments to draft bills on social issues, dealing with punishment for young offenders, the legal parentage of babies and a cooling-off period for couples seeking a divorce. All will be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly for approval.

An amendment to the Criminal Code was sought to give an exemption from legal punishment for juvenile offenders under the age of 12 years. The law currently permits the exemption of juvenile offenders under the age of seven.

Justice Minister Charnchai Likhitjitta said the amendment was made to help protect children's rights, and it is in tune with the United Nations convention on children's rights.

He added the amendment would also exempt juvenile delinquents between the ages of 12 and 15 years from serving criminal punishments. Instead, it would require courts to order measures to correct the offenders' behaviour and provide them with safety.

At present, the law only allows this exemption for offenders under 14.

Another amendment proposed by the cabinet concerns the civil and criminal law on families.

The government was seeking a change in the clause stating that a baby belongs to the woman who gave birth to it, Mr Charnchai said.

Due to advancements in artificial insemination technology, the baby a woman gives birth to may be the product of surrogacy and does not make it the woman's own, Mr Charnchai said.

The amendment would allow relevant parties to contest the parentage of the baby in court, he said.

The cabinet also gave the green light to an amendment that would permit a married couple heading for divorce to separate for three years before filing for a divorce, Mr Charnchai said.

A cabinet source said it was noted that the cabinet's push for several amendments to laws dealing with social issues ''with unprecedented speed'' possibly had something to do with who was chairing the meeting. Social Development and Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham, also deputy prime minister for social affairs, filled in for Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont, who is away in Japan on an official trip, and chaired the meeting.

Bangkok Post

Wednesday April 04, 2007