Page 136 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand
P. 136
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
“Knowledge about human rights should start
during our childhood, as part of our culture”
Voice
Mr. Tej Bunnag Mr. Tej Bunnag, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs and former Thailand Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, explains that
the Universal Declaration was established after World War II, based on the realization of the
causes of violations of rights and liberties, violence and the great loss of life experienced in
previous years. The Declaration was further developed based on the conflicts of ideologies and
the divisions of the Cold War era.
During the transitional period from the Cold War era to the Post-Cold War era, during which
ideological conflicts subsided, various states focused their attention on nation-building, the
enhancement of freedom of thought and democracy as well as sustainable development. Thus,
the international community increasingly embraced the concept of mutual cooperation, which
included the establishment of international standards on human rights, in addition to the
Universal Declaration.
As for the essence of Article 28, Mr. Bunnag says: “The State has a duty to establish orders, rules,
agreements and social environments, either at the national or international level, which are
conducive to allowing people to enjoy their rights and freedoms as well as improve the quality
of their lives.” He describes the three main components of this state responsibility:
1. The development of norms, laws and mechanisms concerning human rights, at both
national and global levels, that guarantee basic rights and liberties.
124 Dignity and Justice for All of Us
