On 21 June 2010, the Fourteenth Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) has elected Thailand, by acclamation, as the President of the Council. Accordingly, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva will assume the Presidency of the HRC for the next twelve months.
Prior to this HRC presidential election, on 13 May 2010, Thailand was successfully elected to the HRC for the first time for the term 2010- 2013, with the second highest vote of support among all 14 candidate countries.
The fact that Thailand has been elected both as a member and President of the HRC clearly reflects the confidence that countries around the world has in Thailand and its human rights policies and standards as well as Thailand’s potential to promote constructive cooperation and dialogue on human rights in international arena. The popular approval for Thailand’s presidency also echoes the faith that states across the world have in Thailand’s leadership potential for the strengthening of the HRC especially at a time when the Council is approaching the review of its status, work and functioning 5 years after its establishment.
In its capacity as the HRC presidency, Thailand will do its utmost to make the HRC a credible and effective body that can make a real impact to human rights situations on the ground. Thailand will also be guided by the principle of reaching out, hearing out and respecting the views of all. This includes forging real partnerships between member states and observer states of the HRC, civil society and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). This will ensure the effective promotion of human rights and that all those in dire need of human rights protection around the world can better be protected by the Council.
The Human Rights Council was created in 2006 as the principal intergovernmental body for human rights within the United Nations system and currently serves as the world’s foremost human rights institution. The HRC has a total of 47 members from every region across the world. The HRC President is appointed on the basis of geographical rotation for a one year term with the current presidential term being the turn of the Asian Group.
Please click here for the HRC Presidency statement by Ambassador Sihasak Phuangketkeow:
http://www.mfa.go.th/internet/news/35647.pdf
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