Thailand seeks entry to UN rights council

[PeteC]

This must be the worst joke of the year so far. See bold print below. Pete
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Thailand seeks entry to UN rights council
Published: 25/02/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News Bangkok Post

Thailand is seeking a three-year membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council after its bid to become a founding member was rejected.

Thailand failed to become one of the 13 Asian inaugural members when the UN General Assembly voted in March 2006 to replace the highly politicised UN Commission on Human Rights.

The Foreign Ministry is using its experience gained from the past disappointment to prepare several lobbying efforts for the May election after the cabinet last month endorsed the ministry plan to seek a three-year membership starting this year.

Thai embassies abroad are seeking the support of their host governments and foreign embassies in Bangkok were invited to a reception last Friday attended by a dozen ambassadors and several political counsellors, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya assured those present at the reception of Thailand's pledges and commitments, which included its contribution to the setting up of the Asean Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, its strong tradition of democracy and human rights protection, and its plan to promote human rights education and interfaith dialogue.

Members of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) are elected on a regional quota. Asia and Africa each have 13 seats, Latin America and the Caribbean states have eight, western Europe and other states have seven and eastern Europe has six.

India, Indonesia and the Philippines are completing their terms this year while Qatar is running for a second term. Other contenders for the three seats becoming available are Malaysia, the Maldives and Iran. A Western diplomat said Thailand's international voting record on human rights at the UN in New York and Geneva was generally disappointing.

It had abstained on every single country-specific human rights resolution in the UN since 2000.

"That's not a record any Thai should be proud of," the diplomat said.

Sunai Phasuk, Human Rights Watch's representative in Thailand, said civil society generally supported Thailand's bid but they would not give their blanket approval.

"There are some preconditions before supporting votes will be cast for Thailand," Mr Sunai said.

"They include, among other things, better treatment of migrant workers and refugees."

Niran Pitakwatchara, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, told the diplomats last Friday his commission supported the government's effort since it was in line with the social movement in Thailand over the past decade to encourage and bring about a strong society with an awareness of civilian recognition and people's participation in monitoring the exercise of power.

Sriprapha Petcharamesree, a member of the Asean Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), said she would like to see Asean members elected to the UNHRC.

"Thailand has been playing a critical role in pushing for a regional human rights system such as the AICHR," Ms Sriprapha told the diplomats.

"However, it would be rather uncomfortable in supporting the Thai government in this campaign if it did not bring any change to the human rights situation in this country."

[heretostay]

must be joking all the human rights abuse here, better let gary glitter be a school teacher.

[Spitfire]

Yeah! Right! They're having a laugh if they think that's going to wash.

Someone has to rein in the military first, as if that's going to happen.

[charlesh]

So the Thais are having 2 bob each way - that would pre-eminently qualify them for any role in the UN.

[heretostay]

Ministry of silly ideas again, they running out of ideas they cant even keep there asian agreements on visa's straight.

[PeteC]

Bangkok Post poll started 3 days ago and ends today on this issue. 3230 votes with 48.9% saying yes they should, and 48.1% no. 3% not familiar with the issue. Someone (Thai) is packing the "yes" side of the vote as I can't see any knowledgeable farang voting that way. Pete