human rights

  • Thailand News

    Thailand commits to child refugee rights by lifting CRC reservation

    The Royal Thai Government made a significant stride in children’s rights by agreeing to withdraw its reservation on Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), with the move now guaranteeing rights to refugee children. This decision was officially announced by the Cabinet on July 9 and is set to be formalised through the United Nations…

  • Thailand News

    NHRC urges Thai govt to stop deportation of Vietnamese activist

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the Thai government to halt plans to deport Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, expressing concerns for his safety. Authorities arrested 32 year old Y Quynh Bdap in Bangkok this week. He is a prominent figure within the Montagnard ethnic group from Vietnam’s Central Highlands and co-founded Montagnards Stand for Justice, an organisation…

  • Thailand News

    NHRC demands justice for nine missing Thai activists

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called on the Ministry of Justice to take decisive action regarding the disappearance of nine Thai political activists who vanished after seeking asylum in neighbouring countries. Sayamol Kaiyoorawong of the NHRC disclosed that she recently handed over an investigative report on these disappearances to Somboon Muangklam, adviser to Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and chairman…

  • Thailand News

    Thai leaders dodge meeting with UN human rights commissioner

    Thailand’s leaders, including the prime minister and foreign minister, sidestepped a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, during his Bangkok visit on June 5 and 6. Instead of rolling out the red carpet, Thailand’s leaders turned a blind eye, reducing Türk’s visit to a mere stopover, unlike his official engagements in Malaysia where he…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand to ratify enforced disappearance convention by June 13

    Thailand is set to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) by June 13, as announced by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The ratification marks a significant step in the country’s commitment to human rights. Thailand deposited an Instrument of Ratification for the ICPPED on May 14. The convention will come into effect thirty days…

  • Guides

    The journey of LGBT Thailand

    In Thailand, the perception of a welcoming atmosphere for LGBT individuals paints a picture of acceptance that many countries strive for. However, the layers of reality for the LGBT community in this Southeast Asian nation tell a more complex story. This overview seeks to unravel the contrasts within Thailand’s approach to LGBT issues, not just the progress made but also…

  • Thailand News

    Thai abortion rights advocates call for increased legal services access

    Abortion rights supporters in Thailand called for improved access to legal abortion services, issuing a petition to Thossaporn Sereerak, a Pheu Thai MP for Phrae and member of the House Committee on Public Health. The Tamtang Group, a prominent advocate for safe abortion, yesterday, February 7, expressed concerns over the difficulties pregnant women face when seeking legal abortions, despite recent…

  • Thailand News

    Tying the knot with change: Thailand raises marriage age to 18 in human rights stride

    The Thailand Cabinet has embraced a proposal to elevate the minimum age of marriage from 17 to 18, aligning with global human rights standards. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is spearheading this change, aiming to bring the country in line with international principles. Deputy government spokesperson Rudklao Suwankiri disclosed that amendments to the Civil and Commercial Code, along with…

  • Phuket News

    Phuket rally takes a stand against violence, abuse, and human trafficking

    Phuket was buzzing with a flurry of activity last night as over 250 people gathered for a rally, breathing life into the campaign against violence directed towards women and children and human trafficking. The campaign, bearing the theme Stop Violence with Love, took place in Queen Sirikit Park, under the watchful eye of Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuran. The Phuket…

  • Thailand News

    Thai Lawyers for Human Rights honoured at Clooney’s Justice for Democracy Defenders gala

    The Clooney Foundation for Justice recognised the efforts of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) at The Albies, a gala held in New York City. The TLHR was among six honorees from around the globe, celebrated for their work towards defending democracy activists and others who have been the target of legal harassment and persecution. The award ceremony was named…

  • Thailand News

    LGBTQ+ rights: US and UK envoys strengthen support in Thailand

    In a reaffirmation of their commitment towards promoting LGBTQ+ rights across the globe, the United States and the United Kingdom have taken a significant initiative to support Thailand in its valorous efforts. This came as a collective resolve showcased at the US-UK Annual Pride Event that took place on June 23 with the theme, ‘United in Love 2023.’ The event…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand intensifies efforts to end childhood statelessness

    In a seminar held in Bangkok, officials from the Thai Government, civil society organisations, and UN agencies gathered to reinforce their efforts towards ending childhood statelessness in Thailand. The seminar was part of the UNHCR-UNICEF Joint Strategy for Addressing Childhood Statelessness and aimed to evaluate the progress made in the country, identify challenges, and explore solutions for improved collaboration among…

  • World News

    ASEAN to rescue trafficking victims from Chinese gangs

    Thailand is a key destination country for migrant workers, human trafficking, and forced labour. Many IT jobseekers who end up in Thailand look to ASEAN to rescue trafficking victims recruited by Chinese gangs as slaves in cybercrime factories. ASEAN is now to help rescue these trafficking victims reeled in with promises of high-paying jobs overseas which turn out to be…

  • World News

    Taliban forces Afghan shopkeepers to cover mannequins’ faces

    The Taliban is forcing Afghan shopkeepers to cover mannequins’ faces. Mannequins in women’s clothing shops across Kabul now have cloth and bags covering their faces, the Associated Press reported on Monday. The Taliban initially wanted the mannequins beheaded. While some shopkeepers obeyed, others weren’t having it. Shopkeepers complained that they would not be able to advertise their clothes, or that…

  • World News

    UNESCO reports spike in killings of journalists in 2022

    On Monday, UNESCO reported a dramatic spike in the killings of journalists around the world in 2022. A total of 86 journalists and media workers were killed across the globe last year. This was after the number of journalists killed had been dropping in the previous years. In 2018, 99 journalists were killed, dropping to an average of 58 per…

  • Bangkok News

    Sea nomads take struggle over alleged land encroachment to Bangkok

    Sea nomads are taking their struggle over alleged land encroachment to Bangkok. The nomads are part of the Moken minority, a group of semi-nomadic Austronesian group that lives in Thai coastal provinces and inhabits over 800 islands in the Andaman Sea. Today, a group of Moken people from Koh Lipe rallied in front of the Treasury Department, demanding justice over…

  • Phuket News

    Phuket officials once again report finding no human trafficking on fishing boats

    Phuket officials reported once again they found no evidence of human trafficking on fishing boats. Officials conducted a series of random interviews at Rassada Pier in the main city district yesterday. They inspected a total of seven boats with 249 workers. Some 117 workers were Thai, and 130 were from Vietnam and Laos. Officials confirmed that they did not discover…

  • World News

    Burmese junta to release former UK ambassador, Australian economist, and Japanese journalist

    The Burmese junta is set to release a former UK ambassador, an Australian economist, and a Japanese journalist who have been detained in Myanmar. The three are being released under amnesty which includes over 6,000 other prisoners. Former UK ambassador Vicky Bowman was arrested with her husband on August 24, and the two were sentenced to a year in prison. Reuters…

  • World News

    Amnesty International calls on Thailand to help stop Myanmar violence

    Amnesty International yesterday called on Thailand to help stop the violence in Myanmar. The organisation marched to the UN building on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road to submit a letter urging the Thai government to help, as Thailand is the host of the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. The letter listed four demands: The Thai government should use every possible means to…

  • World News

    Ask nicely! Offended Myanmar junta refuses to stop slaughter

    Myanmar’s military government says it will not yield to pressure from its Southeast Asia neighbours to transform the country from a violent and corrupt methamphetamine factory into a sane and reasonable member of the international community. The junta seized power last year, after a short period of slightly reduced genocide during civilian rule by a semi-elected government, comprised in part…

  • World News

    SE Asia’s traffickers targeting the young and tech savvy

    Southeast Asia’s traffickers are targeting young and tech-savvy people to lure them into their devastating scams. The traffickers make adverts promising easy work and cushy benefits, drawing in thousands of young, educated victims. When the victims arrive at their destinations they are held captive and forced to work in online scam centres known as “fraud factories.” These include love scams,…

  • World News

    Hong Kong speech therapists jailed over children’s books

    Five speech therapists in Hong Kong have been accused of brainwashing children after they wrote children’s books involving sheep and wolves. The five therapists, who are all between 25-28 years old, have been sentenced to 19 months each in prison. The books tell stories about a village of sheep trying to stop a pack of wolves from invading their home.…

  • World News

    Burmese junta sentences former UK ambassador to 1 year in prison

    After the Burmese junta arrested a former UK ambassador to Myanmar, along with her husband, on August 24, the junta yesterday sentenced them to a year in prison. The former ambassador, Vicky Bowman, is the director of the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business. She served as the UK’s ambassador to Myanmar from 2002-2006. Her husband, Htein Lin, is a Burmese…

  • World News

    North Korea throws shade at “US puppet” human rights leader

    North Korea is up to its hate-mongering tactics again. Today, the country called a United Nations special rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights a “puppet of the US.” An unnamed spokesman for the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an English statement on state-run media… “We had already made clear our principled stand that we neither recognize nor deal…

  • Thailand Protest News

    Amnesty International urges Thailand to free activists and return bail rights

    Amnesty International is urging Thailand to free all political prisoners, drop all current allegations made against activists and return bail rights to activists who get arrested. The requests are detailed in a letter signed by 4,701 people addressed to Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin. Amnesty International UK ran a campaign to gain support for the letter. Amnesty International Thailand gathered at…

  • Thailand News

    New app to help migrant women in Thailand facing abuse

    UN Women and Thai non-government organisations (NGOs) have collaborated to create a new app for migrant women in Thailand facing sexual abuse and violence. The app has been named “Smart Domestic Workers.” Smart Domestic Workers provides information on ways that migrant women can protect themselves from violence, in four languages: Thai, English, Burmese, and Khmer. Users can search for hospitals,…

  • World News

    Bar employees in Indonesia accused of blasphemy over new drink scheme

    Indonesia’s religious blasphemy law is growing “more dangerous” according to rights groups. Police have charged 6 bar employees in the country with blasphemy over a new drink promotion. Under the PR stunt, bar-goers get free drinks if their names are Mohammad or Maria. Mohammad is the name of the prophet of Islam, although it’s also a common men’s name in…

  • Bangkok News

    Don’t forget Bangkok’s first real Pride parade tomorrow

    In case you didn’t know, Bangkok will hold its first real Pride parade tomorrow (Sunday), Bangkok Naruemit Pride, as a celebration of Thailand’s LGBT+ community. The parade is set to start at 4pm at Maha Uma Devi Temple, a Hindu temple sometimes called ‘Wat Khaek’ or ‘South Asian temple’ in Thai slang. The temple is located on Pan Road and…

  • World News

    Former soldier says he sleeps better at night since throwing shoe at Cambodian PM

    A former Cambodian soldier threw a shoe at Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen in Washington, USA, on Wednesday. PM Hun Sen visited the US capital for the first time to attend the US – ASEAN summit. The shoe didn’t actually hit PM Hun Sen, but the former soldier is proud of his attempt nevertheless. “I feel so relieved and slept…

  • Crime News

    Thailand police arrest 7 for alleged forced fishing labour

    This morning, police arrested 7 people in 3 provinces across Thailand for allegedly supplying forced labour on fishing boats. This news comes after 3 Thai workers were repatriated from Malaysia in September last year, after being forced to work on a fishing boat, without oversight from authorities. The 7 arrested today were captured in raids in Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, and…