Page 137 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand

Article 28

2. The development of rules and agreements, both nationally and globally, on other issues in
order to create environments in which states and people may enjoy a peaceful and orderly
co-existence, without fear of war, the use of force and violence, exploitation or
discrimination, and which may develop economically and socially in a fair manner as well as
provide people with opportunities to thrive. The United Nations and other international
organizations constitute the main arena for such developments, with the support of regional
organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

3. The promotion of constructive collaboration on human rights, for example, through the promotion
of correct knowledge and understanding about human rights among state officials and the general
public; the promotion of collaboration at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels in
exchanging experience and guidelines for promoting and protecting human rights; and the
provision of assistance in order to enhance the potential of other countries in this respect.

Mr. Bunnag says: “Thailand does not lag behind others in terms of respecting human rights. This is
reflected in the character of the Thai people, who show concern for others, are open to new things and
love freedom.” In the international arena, Thailand has actively and consistently participated in the
development of international cooperation agreements, including the development of universal norms
and international laws on human rights. In addition, Thailand has become a State Party to seven main
conventions on human rights, out of the total of nine conventions, and has fully and continuously
provided cooperation and information to the United Nations for the monitoring of the human rights
situations in the country, he explains.

“In 1993, Thailand hosted a meeting of Asian countries which was regarded as the first international
meeting on human rights in Asia, resulting in a collection of thoughts and perspectives on human
rights within the region to be used for the establishment of global norms, along with inputs from other
regions, at the World Conference in Vienna that same year.” Mr. Bunnag recounts the details as follows:
“As a result of the conference, I recommended to the Thai government to consider the founding of a
national mechanism on human rights and to support the founding of a human rights mechanism in
ASEAN as well.”

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