Page 151 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand

• The first challenge refers to the further implementation of legal mechanisms in place in order to ensure the effective full
enjoyment of the provisions contained in the instruments adopted by the country so far, including provisions to recognize
and protect community rights.

• The second challenge refers to security concerns and how they relate to the protection of human rights.

• The third challenge relates to the administration of justice and in particular to the legal and judicial processes.

• The fourth challenge focuses on the need to strike a balance between efforts to realize progressive achievement of
economic, social and cultural rights, and the imminent obligations that these rights encompass. This will ensure that the
principles of non-discrimination and equality are fully respected and enjoyed by all members of society.

• The final and fifth challenge identified in the accounts collected addresses the potential leading role that Thailand could
play for the promotion of human rights in the region.

The voices and comments in the publication put forward a number of ideas for the development of a forward looking strategy
in the five above mentioned areas.

1. Promotion of further effective implementation – Human rights as a national priority have “If we don’t know
been gaining ground increasingly in Thai society, a trend that has been highlighted throughout
the present publication. These reflections and comments highlight that the continued that we have a
translation of progress into real success requires the establishment of adequate mechanisms or right, we cannot
the strengthening of the existing ones to ensure effective implementation. For example, in the realize that it is
area of community rights, Thailand has been a pioneer in incorporating community rights into
domestic legal frameworks. The impact of large-scale development projects on the rights of being violated.”
affected communities, however, is an area requiring attention. There are a number of reported
situations where people express concerns about the enjoyment of the rights to life, livelihood A male university student
and property. It is recommended that the rights of the people to access relevant information, Voice from Article 6
express interest and concerns, and take part in public hearing processes, environmental
assessments and decision-making, be increasingly respected and promoted. Rights, liberty and
justice must be viewed in the context of the people’s abilities to manage their own livelihoods,
natural resources, and environment.

Our Voices are Heard in Thailand 139