On 13 May 2010, the UN General Assembly in New York elected 14 countries to serve on the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the term 2010- 2013. Amongst those elected was Thailand, which took its seat in the Council for the first time since the establishment of the HRC in 2006. At this election, there were 4 seats available for Asian countries, while the elected country must obtain the support of at least an absolute majority or 97 votes from the General Assembly. Thailand came in second among all 14 candidates receiving 182 votes of support, while Maldives received the highest votes of 185.*
The fact that Thailand takes its seat on the HRC with 182 votes demonstrates the confidence of the international community in the country’s human rights policies amidst the political tension for which the Government is trying its utmost to find a solution through peaceful means. It also reflects support for Thailand’s Voluntary Pledges and Commitments on Human Rights that have been welcomed by various countries and civil society organizations. Indeed, it contains a number of concrete steps to further advance human rights in Thailand and was widely distributed in English, French, Spanish and Arabic versions to all countries prior to their decisions in the membership selection, thus setting a good standard for HRC candidatures.
As a member of the HRC, Thailand will certainly play an important role both domestically and internationally. At the national level, Thailand will enhance human rights awareness among all relevant sectors, as HRC members are required to uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights within their national capacity.
Moreover, The Thai Government will seriously implement its human rights pledges and commitments, particularly in areas of the rights of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups including the impoverished as well as to enhance human rights education, strengthen the justice system and the rule of law and national reconciliation which is also in line with the Government’s recent reconciliation roadmap. Furthermore, Thailand is obliged to report the progress on the implementation of its pledges and commitments to the Council under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in the end of 2011. Overall, the realization of the country’s pledges and commitments will depend on the effective cooperation of all relevant stakeholders both the government sectors and civil society organizations.
At the international level, Thailand, as a member of the HRC, will play a constructive role in human rights fora. It will also play an active role in bridging different opinions in the HRC in order to build common ground. Thailand believes that forging consensus is the most effective mechanism to protect human rights across the globe. Thailand will help the Council to constructively engage the concerned countries in the improvement of their human rights situations on the ground while trying to reduce politicization of human rights issues and making human rights truly a universal value for all. Thailand will also be devoted to enhancing the Council’s role in addressing human rights issues in a more even-handed manner particularly in advancing the rights on children, women and persons of disabilities.
The Human Rights Council is the principal UN intergovernmental body for human rights. It has a vital duty to promote and monitor the full implementation of international human rights commitments undertaken by States as well as to prevent, protect and respond in situations of human rights violations across the world. The HRC has a total of 47 members. Membership is based on the principle of equitable geographical distribution, with members serving three year terms.
The Royal Thai Government’s determination to become a member of the HRC is a reaffirmation of the Government’s strong attachment to human rights not only at the national level, but also its wish to share Thailand’s deep seated values of democracy, human rights and freedoms to the world stage. As a member of the HRC, Thailand is ready to demonstrate to the world that Thailand can be a constructive and value added participant in the making HRC as an effective human rights mechanism.
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- African States : Angola (170) Mauritania (167) Uganda (164) and Libya (155) / Eastern European States : Moldova (175) Poland (171) / Asian States : Maldives (185) Thailand (182) Malaysia (179) and Qatar (177) / Latin American & Caribbean States : Ecuador (180) and Guatemala (180) / Western European & other States : Spain (177) and Switzerland (175)
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th