'Learn from Thailand's failure to win UN seat'
Play
Thailand should learn a lesson from its failed bid to join the UN Human Rights Council, Nirand Pitakwatachara, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, said yesterday.
“We must admit that we’re in a post-coup situation and martial law is still with us,” he said.
On Tuesday, the United Nations General Assembly voted for 15 new members for the 47-seat UNHRC. Qatar, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh edged out Thailand, which garnered 136 votes.
Nirand said the general human-rights situation after the coup was a factor in Thailand’s losing bid. The situation has changed since 2010 and Thailand needs to take stock of the new reality.
International politics was also at play in the lobbying for support for each candidate country.
The NHRC will by the end of next month submit a white paper to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on the human-rights situation since the putsch on May 22.
The rights report will also be made public, Nirand said.
