Page 27 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand

Article 2

“Human rights promotion and protection
should be a responsibility for all of us”

Commentary

Ms. Tuenjai Deetes
Ms. Tuenjai Deetes, former senator and activist The Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary
on the rights of hill tribes, agrees that there is of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
a very strong link between the problem of should be an occasion to ensure that all
discrimination and the existence of prejudice. human beings are equal in dignity,
transcending the issue of national boundaries.
Discrimination affects not only hill tribes but Human rights promotion and protection
also migrant populations. Those who enter should be a responsibility for all of us, whether
the country in an underprivileged situation we are senators, government officials or
are often treated differently. Ms. Deetes citizens. The Universal Declaration of Human
explains that according to the Universal Rights remains nothing more than a
Declaration of Human Rights, all human document if efforts are not made through
beings are entitled to fundamental rights. collaboration between all sectors in society to
Thailand has amended and enacted internal make its provisions a reality for all human
laws and instruments addressing some of the beings, she says.
problems being faced by ethnic minority
populations in this regard, e.g. the Nationality Ms. Deetes suggests that there is insufficient
Law and Public Registry Law, in force since advocacy work related to the Universal
August 2008, subjecting all residents in the Declaration of Human Rights. The United
Kingdom of Thailand to population surveys, as Nations should work more proactively with
well as issuing certificates to children who are partners from different sectors of society so
accompanied by their parents into the that the Thai people have a better
country so that they may have an identity. The understanding of the Declaration.
concrete effects of these steps depend on
their effective implementation, she explains.

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