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Showing 31-40 of 111 results

  • OPINION

    Free vs hate speech as world changes

    News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 28/12/2022

    » While the Asia-Pacific region is home to a wealth of constructive traditions and practices, it is also confronted with the conundrum of how to protect freedom of expression at the same time as tackling hate speech which is rampant today. A morass of laws of a prohibitive and inhibitive kind are emerging, entrenching censorship and self-censorship, especially in the face of more authoritarian trends, rather than a broader range of actions to respect a diversity of opinions and to counter incitement to hatred.

  • OPINION

    Between rule of law and law of rule(r)s

    Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 14/12/2022

    » The term "rule of law" has a resonant ring which sounds both familiar and distant. It seems familiar because it is employed frequently by lawyers to analyse the makings of a legal system. Yet, it is distant because it sounds "legalese", harbouring both the thin version and the thick version of its intrinsic self. The thin version covers various legal safeguards for litigants and accused persons, such as a fair trial, accompanied by the advocacy of an independent judiciary. The thicker version demands more, namely: adherence to human rights and democracy.

  • OPINION

    Green energy, economy, equity are key

    Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 30/11/2022

    » The challenge of climate change and environmental degradation is an existential threat which is increasingly recognised in all corners of the globe. Its urgency is all the more pressing because it harbours ill for our children and the next generations in terms of their survival and modus vivendi, unless comprehensive action is taken, anchored on the "whole of humanity and whole of society" approach and premised on effective global-local partnerships to prevent, reduce and rectify harm.

  • OPINION

    Rights under threat from emerging tech

    News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 16/11/2022

    » A key challenge facing human rights globally today is the advent of emerging technologies that mutate rapidly and potentially beyond human control. The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva has thus singled out for special study during the next couple of years four areas of concern: autonomous weaponry, neurotechnology, cyberbullying, and green technology (inevitably linked with climate change). What are the prospects for enjoying the fruits of such technologies and pre-empting their negative implications?

  • OPINION

    Making room for youth in Thai politics

    Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 29/10/2022

    » Thailand is heading towards national elections next year, and this is an opportune moment to ask how much room there is for the participation of youth in politics. The record to date has been ambivalent, and much depends on both political and social will to broaden the civic and political space.

  • OPINION

    Stepping stones for Asean's rights body

    Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 05/10/2022

    » In 2009, Asean established a long-awaited regional human rights body in the form of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). This commission has now undertaken a self-assessment of its work in recent years, and it covers some of the innovative measures identified below. Complementary to AICHR, there also came into being the Asean Commission on the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) and other sectoral bodies.

  • OPINION

    How to invigorate multilateralism

    Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 15/09/2022

    » Multilateralism, embodied in the United Nations (UN) as the world’s primary body for fostering international relations and international law among all countries, has been the mainstay of global history since the World War II.

  • OPINION

    Beating scams, trafficking no easy task

    News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 01/09/2022

    » This region has been in the news in recent weeks in regard to online scams and human trafficking, compounded by other forms of exploitation such as forced labour and forced criminality.

  • OPINION

    Calling Thai domestic abuse to account

    Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 04/08/2022

    » Developing societies (including Thailand) have enjoyed the presence of extended families, in contrast with the smaller unit of nuclear families. This broader coverage, encompassing not only the parents and children but also grandparents and other dependants, has offered a social safety net to support family members. Yet, that extended unit has now been disintegrating for some time, compounded by the stress due to Covid-19. What then are the areas needing more attention to tackle the changing scenario?

  • OPINION

    A new direction for UN in Thailand?

    Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 13/07/2022

    » Thailand is proudly a hub for United Nations (UN) agencies and programmes, and this adds weight to its leverage in international relations. Inevitably, the UN presence has to address key issues of sustainable development, human rights, democracy and peace. A key question is thus whether a viable balance is being struck between national practices and international aspirations.

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