Situation on human rights has improved: top official
THE human rights situation in Thailand has improved judging from greater public participation in protecting people’s rights as well as the promulgation and enforcement of related laws, said Charnchao Chaiyanukij, acting permanent secretary at the Justice
This year saw many occasions when Thai people rallied to demand their basic human rights, he said.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of a meeting of authorities preparing the country’s human rights report to be submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in February.
“The general picture of the human rights situation in the country has become better and tangible. The issue is not just in the book, it is now tangible. There are new laws enforced to protect the basic human rights of people,” he said.
He added that the report will gather the opinions and ideas of all parties concerned as well as reflect the trend of the issue next year.
Referring to calls from international organisations regarding political human rights, he said the issue is one of the challenges facing the government, which has to create understanding and handle it in constructive ways.
Meanwhile, Chunchom Jintayanon, deputy director-general of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, said Thailand would be open to suggestions from other UNHRC members after submitting the report. “We will consider the recommendations and whether they suit our country or not. For example, one of them said Thailand should cancel the death sentence. We do not accept it but we’re not ignoring it, as we are studying it to find a solution,” she said.
