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Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 28

Ms. Son is of the view that the universality of Thailand, as a ‘middle-income country’, can be
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights an effective aid provider. In this regard, she
entails duties of every state to protect the underscores Mr. Bunnag’s view on the right to
rights of every individual “beyond its own development and asserts how “critical it is to
territorial boundary”. She explains that when promote equality and equity”.
disaster strikes a country, should that country
need assistance to help protect the rights and Thailand, as current chair of ASEAN, Ms. Son
dignity of its citizens, other countries should asserts, plays an important leadership role not
step in and provide that assistance while only in hosting the ASEAN Summit Meeting in
respecting the principles of “sovereign December 2008, but also by facilitating the
equality and integrity and non-intervention”. final establishment of the regional human
“In this respect, Thailand has already done a rights body as set forth in the ASEAN Charter,
lot” Ms. Son comments. “Thailand has, for and leading discussions on how the ASEAN
example, provided support for peace-keeping +3 (the countries of ASEAN plus China, Japan
in Timor-Leste and has played a critical role in and the Republic of Korea) will respond to the
ensuring the effective delivery of assistance current financial crisis, and contributing to
for Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone developing mechanisms to better protect the
Nargis.” most vulnerable.

With reference to globalization and inter- In conclusion, Ms. Son remarks that the
dependence of countries, every nation, she United Nations System in Thailand stands
suggests, should work towards reducing the ready to work in partnership with the Royal
gap between the poor and the rich, both Thai Government and other partners to
within a country as well as among the further contribute to developing and
countries within the framework of sovereignty sustaining a conducive, enabling environment
of all nations. Ms. Son comments that one for the realization of the rights and freedoms
country’s successes and failures can quickly set forth in the Universal Declaration of
become those of others, giving as an example Human Rights for all people.
the current financial crisis. Ms. Son notes that

128 Dignity and Justice for All of Us