Statement by the Delegation of Thailand

H.E. Mr. Sek Wannamethee

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand

at the Clustered ID with the SR on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the IE on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism

during the 37^th session of the Human Rights Council

on Tuesday, 6 March 2018 from 15.00 – 18.00 hrs.

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Madam Vice President,

Thailand wishes to thank the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for her report. We agree that the right to equal recognition before the law under Article 12 of the CRPD is the “right to have rights”.

Thailand believes in the human rights-based model to the empowerment of persons with disabilities. This is being progressively reflected in laws and policies in accordance with the CRPD. 

The 2017 Constitution of Thailand and the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act stand as the bases of the paradigm shift to the rights-based approach to disabilities. They guarantee persons with disabilities with equal recognition before the law without discrimination.

The Mental Health Act is particularly relevant to persons with intellectual disabilities. It establishes the requirement for informed consent of persons with disabilities in medical services, based on the respect for human dignity.

We believe that decent jobs are key to the empowerment of persons with disabilities and for creating a truly inclusive society. Hence, Thailand seeks to promote supported employment of persons with disabilities through capacity-building with “job coaches”, including ICT skills training, and through certain employment quotas.

The participation of persons with disabilities in policy-making is vital. The Government works closely with disabled people’s organizations as important stakeholders. To foster effective implementation of laws, we have established follow-up mechanisms at the national and local levels with the participation of civil society, including through the Sub-Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination.

Nonetheless, challenges need to be overcome before we can achieve the full alignment with relevant international human rights obligations. Could the Special Rapporteur further share with us best practices on legal guarantees on supported decision-making mechanisms to accommodate the diverse groups of persons with disabilities to enable their full exercise of legal capacity.

I thank you.