Page 81 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand

Article 15

“The celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights should

serve as an opportunity to ensure that everyone

will one day finally have a nationality of their own”

Commentary

Dr. Pantip Kanjanajitra Saisoonthorn
Associate Professor Dr. Pantip Kanjanajitra plays a negative role in the way such cases are
Saisoonthorn of the Faculty of Law at dealt with, she says.
Thammasat University explains that the
identity papers held by both girls who shared Dr. Saisoonthorn added that the amendment
the story above were issued according to to the Nationality Act (2008) became law on
Section 38 of the Public Registry Act (1991) 23 February 2008, and the Civil Registration
and were modified by Public Registry Act (2nd Act on 23 August 2008. These two acts offered
edition) (2008). Through this Act, the a solution to resolve the issue of nationality
Department of Administration has recognized facing the hundreds of thousands of people
both girls as persons with a domicile in living in Thailand with no nationality. She says
Thailand. They are to be included in the public that the crucial point is to establish a clear role
registry as immigrants with temporary status. for an agency to handle nationality issues and
They do not have nationality yet, but their to clearly outline its responsibilities. She adds
legal status has been recognized and that the most important issue to consider in
registered in the public registry, she explains. the new Civil Registration Act is that all children
born in Thailand will be entitled to a birth
Dr. Saisoonthorn notes that the lack of certificate regardless of their legal status.
progress in resolving cases in Thailand that
deal with problems concerning lack of Dr. Saisoonthorn recommends that this year’s
nationality is often the result of a lack of legal celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the
knowledge by the public. The authorities Universal Declaration of Human Rights should
themselves are also often in need of such serve as an opportunity to ensure that people
legal knowledge. Prejudice sometimes also like these two young girls will one day finally
have a nationality of their own.

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