Page 81 - Rights beautiful : collection of Professor Saneh Chamarik

Rights Beautiful Collection of Professor Saneh Chamarik

The last paragraph is being cited in full here in order to present an
overview of expected “public participation in the governance and inspecting
the exercise of State power” from the various angles of State’s activities,
as provided by law. The NHRC serves as one among the newly-created
independent institutions. Unlike all the others, though, it does not have
the authority to pass judgment or impose penalty on anybody. This is
correct, however. Its real task is basically to see to it that the State
authorities concerned do their proper jobs, and along with that to assume
an enabling role in promoting social learning and awareness. For the
purpose, the NHRC attaches great value and importance to education,
research and the dissemination of knowledge on human rights. These are
of course prescribed by the Constitution as part of the NHRC’s functions.
But the point is to make it a proactive approach to the whole task of
human rights promotion and protection. For, despite its official status as
State agency, it is strongly believed that its effectiveness rests in the last
analysis with the society as a whole. All this means that the NHRC is to
organize itself in such a way as to serve not only as rights defenders, but
also as social-learning promoter. That is why we take it upon ourselves the
task and working principle to serve as part and parcel of society, not apart
from it. That is to say, to be open, transparent, and accessible to the public at
large.
Before going further to the question of how to go about fulfilling
our job as intended, one most significant point needs to be brought to
attention here for the benefit of mutual learning and understanding. Earlier
on, mention has already been made concerning the nature and reality of
human rights in a great variety of specific contexts and circumstances that
bring about human aspirations for freedom. The universality of human rights
is indeed dynamically created out of this plurality. In other words, what we
are really looking for is unity in diversity, and certainly not authoritarian or
totalitarian brand of universality where only might makes right. Thailand is
one such case, like any others that have been going through decades of

OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THAILAND 75