Statement by the Delegation of Thailand

Mr. Sasiwat Wongsinsawat

Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative

at the Review of Botswana

during the 29^th Session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review

on Wednesday 17 January 2018 from 09.00 to 12.30 hrs.

(Speaker Number: 14 Time: 1 minute 25 seconds)

Mr. Vice President,

Thailand welcomes the delegation of Botswana to the third UPR cycle and appreciates Botswana’s leadership in promoting human rights issues during the period of its membership in the Human Rights Council.

Thailand commends the progress made, in particular policies to eradicate poverty, combat HIV/AIDS infections, protect disadvantaged and marginalised communities, as well as the provision of human rights education in the school curriculum.

To ensure even more robust promotion and protection of human rights of all people in the country, Thailand would like to submit two recommendations for Botswana’s consideration.

First, we recommend Botswana to establish a national human rights institution that is in line with the Paris Principles by finalising and adopting the Ombudsman Amendment Bill that will confer the human rights mandate on the Office of the Ombudsman.

Second, we recommend Botswana to provide trainings on human rights principles and obligations for all law enforcement officers, as well as continue to investigate allegations of human rights violations, including violations committed by police officers, and hold accountable those who are responsible.

I thank you, Mr. Vice President.