The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand and the ICJ held an event at the German Residence in Bangkok to mark Human Rights Day.
In his welcome speech, the Ambassador, Peter Prügel, stressed the importance of the protection of universal human rights which are essential for peace, long-term stability and sustainable development worldwide and referred to Germany’s long-standing support of the ICJ and its partners in Thailand.
Angkhana Neelapaijit, newly appointed Commissioner of Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission, respected human rights defender and victim of enforced disappearance then spoke about her new role and the human rights challenges currently facing Thailand.
A panel discussion on the prevailing human rights situation in Thailand then followed, which touched on a range of topics including the situation in deep South, community rights, migrants and refugees, the current legal framework, freedom of expression and assembly, the requirement to protect human rights defenders under international law and the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of Thailand by the Human Rights Council in 2016.
The panelists were:
- ICJ Commissioner, Professor Emeritus Vitit Muntarbhorn, Law Faculty, Chulalongkorn University;
- Sitthipong Chantarawirod, Chairperson of Muslim Attorney Centre Foundation;
- Pranom Somwong, Representative of Protection International Thailand;
- Somchai Homlaor, Chairperson of Cross Cultural Foundation; and
- Yaowalak Anuphan, Head of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.
Approximately 100 members of Thailand’s civil society, the diplomatic community, the National Human Rights Commission, affected communities, academia, the United Nations, and Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the event.