Thailand was urged to adopt standards in accordance with UNHRC development.
Thailand continues to deal with persistent human rights violations despite recent advancements in LGBTQ rights, and it needs to better address these issues in its new capacity as a member of the UN Human Rights Council ( UNHRC ).
This was the main point of Amnesty International’s State of the World’s Human Rights 2024/2020 record, which was held next Tuesday in Bangkok at Amnesty Thailand’s headquarters.
The document acknowledged Thailand’s location Jan 23 section of the Marriage Equality Bill, which authorized same-sex unions in 38 other nations.
Amnesty International, however, pointed to a number of issues that Thailand has address in accordance with international human rights laws.
These include problems relating to the rights of indigenous peoples, LGBTQ and gender-based right, freedom of expression, organization and assembly, and the protection of human rights defenders.
Thailand’s duties as a freshly elected member of the UNHRC were the subject of a conference titled” Thailand’s Mission in the Human Rights Council: Challenges from Home Laws and Global Politics” after the review start.
Thailand became a member in January after receiving the most votes in the Asia-Pacific group the year before.
Speakers at the conference argued that Thailand may make use of its UNHRC system to not only promote its accomplishments but also strengthen its unique human rights report and contribute to global improvement.
Irrespective of a country’s dimensions or social system, human rights are the basis of liberal global governance, according to Kannavee Suebsang, an MP from the Fair Party.
He said,” I think we can use human rights as a tool of power in negotiations and the fight against injustice on a global scale.”
In terms of the UNHRC, Mr. Kannavee referred to it as a critical forum for nations to exchange ideas and explore individual rights.
He argued that while Thailand had just recently presented its accomplishments to the government, the platform should not just be used to emphasize successes but also to target violations in front of the council.
He argued that Thailand’s presentations neglected important issues like the attacks on human rights activists, the repression of free expression, the heavy South’s illegal killings, and the current forced Uyghur repatriation to China.
Mr. Kannavee urged Thailand and additional member states to show brave recognition of their own human rights issues and to make use of the HRC as a powerful tool for solving domestic and international issues.
He even suggested that Thailand should lead the charge in supporting HRC reform to target the world’s pressing issues relating to human rights.
I don’t believe we need to use the HRC for that, he said, adding that presenting a distorted picture of fact weakens the mayor’s purpose.” If it’s just a step for showing off what we’re good at or what we’ve succeeded in doing, next we shouldn’t use it for that,” he said.
Chunya Boonyawan, a law lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, pointed out that Thailand’s continued commitment to neutrality on international human rights issues conflicts with the expectations of nations that voted for its HRC membership.
She explained that the Human Rights Council needs to lead the charge against human rights violations and support international efforts to uphold international human rights laws.
Thailand is still buried in the mud of non-interference, which renders international human rights law ineffective, according to Ms. Chunya, adding that Thailand needs to strengthen its commitment to implementing international human rights law.
She urged the nation to reconsider its point of view and view other HRC members as partners in a shared effort to advance global human rights.
She urged Thailand to realign its position and embrace international cooperation to advance respect for human rights and the rule of law, acknowledging that all nations face challenges due to limited resources and environmental pressures.
Additionally, Ms. Chunya noted that the shifting global landscape, particularly with powers like the US potentially resuming their positions of authority over human rights, makes room for middle-power nations like Thailand to lead in upholding international standards within the HRC.
She argued that this would strengthen Thailand’s standing abroad and give it a stronger voice in the world.
We will become a more trustworthy player on the global stage as long as we keep up our human rights commitments, she said.