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Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 17

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. and enjoyment of natural resources, as well as
As a result, this issue remains one of the most proper management of the impact on their
important to be addressed regarding the livelihood and environment. This cannot be
promotion and protection of human rights in dissociated from the enjoyment of other
Thailand, Ms. Chairos adds. fundamental human rights such as access to
information, the right to participate in
The process to remedy these situations is decision-making, the right to expression of
lengthy and costly, she explains. Remedies do opinions and the right to receive
exist, but often the budgets allocated are compensation, she says.
insufficient and the environmental impacts
require too much time to be addressed. The Furthermore, Ms. Chairos suggests that “the
government must take this issue seriously, United Nations should foster close relations
with quick action, including the amendment with civil society to strengthen the application
or creation of new legislation to ensure the of international rules and regulations. This will
protection of the relevant rights set forth in help to accelerate changes in policy with
the Constitution. In addition, the Public regard to human rights and community
Hearing Law, which has been drafted by civic rights.” A positive development is that the
groups and peoples’ organizations, should be government has now placed more
taken into consideration for adoption as soon importance on the recognition of community
as possible, she says. Communities are calling rights. But rapid progress is necessary
on the government to ensure the respect of because day by day, the situation is getting
their community rights, including ownership worse, she adds.

78 Dignity and Justice for All of Us