Govt defends human rights record in UN report
THE FOREIGN Ministry has insisted in the country’s Universal Periodic Review report submitted with the United Nations Human Rights Council today that Thais still have freedom of expression provided their behaviour is constructive.
The Cabinet approved the draft of the report on Tuesday and it reflects the real situation and tasks undertaken by the government on human rights promotion and protection, a Foreign Ministry official said.
Each UN member country submits a Universal Periodic Review every four year.
The content of the Thai report covers seven points on the government’s human rights work, the official said.
One the key issues covered is the provisional constitution enforced by the military junta since the May 2014 coup. It states the basic rights of the people are guaranteed in the interim charter like was the case for many previous constitutions in Thailand, he said.
The drafting of the new constitution involves intensive people participation and must be passed in a referendum to be enforced, he said.
The report states the government aims to reduce economic and social inequality, while ruling in accordance with the rule of law and respecting people’s human rights.
It also states the government has a national human rights plan and is amending many laws so they complied with international norms, as well as supporting and strengthening human rights mechanisms, notably the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Thailand is also a member in the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and plays a crucial role in promoting human rights works in the group and elswhere.
Thailand has been widely criticised for its human rights practices, and last week the NHRC was downgraded by to “B” by the International Coordinating Committee on National Human Rights Institutions.
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