Statement by the Delegation of Thailand

by Mr. Phanpob Plangprayoon, Minister Counsellor

at the Review of Colombia

during the 30^th Session of the Working Group on the UPR

on Thursday, 10 May 2018, 09:00-12:30 hrs.

(Speaker Number: 93 / Speaking Time: 1 minute 20 seconds)

Mr. President,

Thailand congratulates Colombia for the signing of the Peace Agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). We welcome a significant decline in violence following the Peace Agreement – and the provisions on the protection of children contained therein. We welcome the key participation of women in the peace process.

Thailand acknowledges Colombia’s efforts to eliminate gender-based violence and the passage of new laws aimed at protecting and promoting women’s rights.

We applaud Colombia’s efforts to promote women’s employment and narrow the gender pay gap. We welcome the enactment of a law in 2016 that initiated service bonus for domestic workers, most of whom women.

Thailand acknowledges Colombia’s measures to improve treatment of prisoners, such as the expansion of prison infrastructure.

Therefore, we recommend Colombia to introduce alternative methods to detention to reduce prison occupancy rates and step up efforts in implementing the “Nelson Mandela Rules” (Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners) and the “Bangkok Rules” (the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Woman Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures on Women Offenders).

Thailand comments Colombia for reducing the maternal and infant mortality rates. However, infant mortality rate remains higher among indigenous groups.

Therefore, we recommend Colombia to improve access to health services with a view to reducing the infant mortality rate particularly among indigenous groups and to ensure vaccination on schedule for children.

We wish Colombia every success in this UPR.

Thank you.