Statement by the Delegation of Thailand

H.E. Mr. Sek Wannamethee

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

Item 2: General Debate on the Oral Update by the High Commissioner

Tuesday, 11 September 2018

Mr. Vice President,

Thailand aligns itself with the ASEAN statement and congratulates Michelle Bachelet on the appointment as the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
We reaffirm our full support to the High Commissioner and the Office. 

Thailand wishes to share some thoughts on human rights work.

Firstly, we must look across borders. We agree with the High Commissioner that we must promote multilateralism and work in a cooperative spirit to overcome challenges, which can be strengthened through technical cooperation and capacity-building. In this spirit, Thailand and the core group will table the annual resolution under Agenda Item 10 with a focus on the rights of older persons.

Secondly, we must look across pillars by building on the complementarities and synergies of human rights, sustainable development, as well as peace and security to maximize our limited resources and achieve the common goal of leaving no one behind.

Thirdly, we must look across players by building partnership with the civil society, the private sector, the academia, youths, and all relevant groups to mobilize any contribution we can get.

At home, Thailand has been working to protect, respect and fulfill human rights obligations by learning from the good examples of others and localizing those in our context. We are finalizing the 4^th National Human Rights Plan and near completion of our first-ever National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights – while engaging the civil society and other partners in the process.

Thank you.