Statement by the Delegation of Thailand

By Mr. Phanpob Plangprayoon, Minister Counsellor

Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to health

at the 38th session of the Human Rights Council

on Monday, 18 June 2018, 12.00-15.00, at Room XX, Palais des Nations

Mr. President,
Thailand thanks the Special Rapporteur on the right to health for the report.  
With the rise of women in detention over the past two decades, Thailand continues to promote the implementation of the UN ‘Bangkok Rules’ on women offenders and prisoners. The ‘Bangkok Rules’ set international standards and guidelines for the treatment of women prisoners, taking into account their specific needs and multiple vulnerabilities, including their physical and mental healthcare needs.
Since the adoption of the ‘Bangkok Rules’ in 2010, Thailand has established the Thailand Institute of Justice, or TIJ, with the core mandate to promote and encourage the implementation of the Rules in all women prisons and correctional facilities nationwide. The TIJ also provides technical assistance through training, developing guidance documents and conducting assessments of the implementation of the Bangkok Rules in Thailand and other countries in the ASEAN region and beyond, upon their request.
The health and well-being of children in immigration detention center is an important matter. Thailand wishes to ask the Special Rapporteur to share his views on best practices on alternatives to immigration detention of children as well as on how OHCHR could work with States, relevant UN agencies and CSOs in this matter.
Thailand reaffirms our willingness to engage and work with the Special Rapporteur and Member States to enhance the capacity to implement gender- and age-appropriate measures that are tailored to the specific mental and physical needs of women prisoners and children in immigration detention center, as well as to find appropriate non-custodial measures for these groups. Thailand will continue our advocacy on the implementation of the UN ‘Bangkok Rules’ and stand ready to provide technical assistance in this regard.
Thank you.