human rights
- Thailand News
Thailand’s UNHRC role challenged by human rights shortfalls, says advocate
As a newly elected member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Thailand faces the need to elevate its human rights performance to align with international standards, according to a Thai human rights advocate. Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW), discussed Thailand’s human rights situation on January 17 at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand,…
- Bangkok News
Thailand rejects call to abolish death penalty
Thailand’s Cabinet dismissed the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) proposal to abolish the death penalty. This decision, announced by deputy government spokesperson Kharom Polpornklang, underscores the government’s alignment with the courts of justice, which deem capital punishment necessary for certain grave offences. The NHRC had pushed for the abolition, citing the global trend of eliminating what they consider an excessively…
- Thailand News
Thai PM urges action to curb violence against women and children
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called on the public to actively support government initiatives aimed at curbing violence against children and women. This appeal is part of the government’s annual anti-violence campaign, coinciding with National Violence Elimination Against Children and Women Month. Thailand designated November for this cause in 1999, aligning with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of…
- Thailand News
Thailand grants citizenship to 483,000 migrants
The Thai government’s recent decision to grant citizenship to a significant number of migrants and ethnic minorities has received a warm welcome from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The move, announced by the Cabinet yesterday, aims to provide Thai citizenship to over 483,000 individuals who have either been residing in Thailand for an extended period or were born within…
- Thailand News
NHRC urges Thailand to rethink Southern Land Bridge project
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to reconsider the Southern Land Bridge megaproject, highlighting concerns about its environmental impact and implications for local communities. The NHRC supports its call with findings from various studies conducted by state agencies. Council member Sayamol Kaiyoorawongs stated that the prime minister should direct the Office of Transport and…
- 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 lawyers seek bail for political prisoners under lese majeste law
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) is working to secure bail for 19 political prisoners, predominantly those charged under Section 112, commonly known as the lese majeste law, to uphold their human rights. TLHR announced yesterday, May 22, that the number of political prisoners, especially those detained under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, has surged since last year. Many…
- 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
UN urges Thailand to bolster multi-sector approach to child rights protection
Thailand has been urged to broaden its efforts in child rights protection, with the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, calling for a more comprehensive, multi-ministerial approach. Maalla M’jid emphasised that safeguarding children should not be the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security but rather a shared…
- 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…
- World News
Acquittal of Philippine human rights campaigner Leila de Lima brings her closer to freedom
Philippine human rights advocate Leila de Lima, who has been imprisoned since February 2017, was acquitted of one of the two remaining drug trafficking charges against her on Friday, edging her closer to freedom. De Lima, 63 years old and a former senator and justice minister, has faced these charges as retaliation for investigating President Rodrigo Duterte and his controversial…
- 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…
- South Thailand News
VIDEO: Desperate Rohingyas dying on boat off South Thailand
A video is circling on social media of a group of desperate Rohingyas crowded onto a boat off South Thailand’s Ranong province. Over 200 people were on the boat, and 18 people died on the harrowing journey, a Rohingya aid coordinator told Thai PBS. The boat first left Bangladesh in late November. The aid coordinator, Rayid Ali, said the boat has…
- 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
Vietnam elected to UN Human Rights Council despite poor track record
Despite human rights groups calling for Vietnam to be excluded from the United Nations Human Rights Council, the country has won a three-year term in the Council. According to RFA.Org, the Southeast Asian nation received 145 of 189 valid votes, joining 13 other countries that were elected by members of the UN General Assembly in New York. Vietnam recently conducted…
- 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…
- Phuket News
Seminar on business and human rights held in Phuket
Thai officials held a seminar in Phuket on Monday about the importance of human rights in business. The National Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand, Pitikan Sithidejheld, lead the seminar at the Royal Phuket City Hotel in the main city district. The event was titled “Seminar to Promote Business and Human Rights for Business Operations in Phuket Area.” Phuket’s Vice Governor…
- 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…
