Thailand must fulfil its rights obligations

This year, Human Rights Day focuses on the work of human rights defenders, and on how social media can be used to promote and underpin change.

The “Arab Spring” vividly reminds us that human rights are universal and that people everywhere aspire to live in dignity and freedom. In 2011, thousands of people decided that the time had come to claim their rights. Social media carried their message, and allowed activists and individuals to break free from their isolation, to disseminate ideas and to denounce oppression.

Use of social media to promote human rights should not be restricted by governments. The European Union has repeatedly and publicly condemned restrictions on freedom of expression and on access to the Internet, as well as the arrest of bloggers, witnessed in many countries around the world.

Thailand was among the first nations in the world to endorse the Universal Human Rights Declaration on December 10, 1948. While Thailand has made remarkable progress over the decades, many challenges still remain. The EU encourages Thailand to further promote and advocate human rights throughout the country, including freedom of expression and the use of social media.

High Representative Catherine Ashton

European Union Delegation

Bangkok