Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Having another go at a UNHRC seat
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 03/08/2023
» Thailand is planning to be a candidate in the next round of elections for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), with voting on the matter due at the UN General Assembly in 2024 for a seat in 2025-2027. What might be the reasonable expectations for this and what might be an appropriate strategy for the nation to be sufficiently self-prepared?
Some good news for freedom of speech
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 13/05/2023
» The World Press Freedom Day, concurrently May 3, was celebrated recently with a panel discussion at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, which provided a fresh opportunity to catch up with news, especially on Thailand. It was also an occasion to reflect on international developments concerning the shrinking space for the free flow of information ("info-inhibition") in various settings.
Righting the wrongs of development
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 27/03/2023
» A key issue with which the world community has had to grapple since the end of the Second World War is that of "development", especially from the angle of national and international measures to ensure responsiveness to the rights and needs of the peoples of the land, without discrimination and violence, and to overcome historical and other injustices.
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.
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.
Cambodia's progress has been stalled
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 31/03/2022
» The situation in Cambodia can perhaps be described as straddling a testament and a predicament. The testament is the 30th anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements (October 1991) which brought peace to the country after a long period of warfare and the "recent tragic past". It established a pivotal framework for human rights, democracy and sustainable development in the country.
We cannot lose control of technology
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 19/01/2022
» The advent of Covid-19 has accentuated digitalisation and its close linkage with automation, algorithms, and artificial intelligence ("the three A's"). The Asian region interfaces closely with this phenomenon, especially because it is the most populous continent. It is also a region with a large number of non-democracies and semi-democracies. This panorama invites care to prevent misuse of those three As.
UN SDG goals boost access to justice
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 29/03/2021
» How do we counter massive pollution on land, at sea and in the air? How do we ensure justice for human rights defenders who are attacked when defending the environment? How do we promote more inclusion and participation in decision-making processes?
SDGs require balanced power ties
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 19/03/2018
» One of the heartening aspects of international relations in recent years was the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a global framework for action in 2015. The aim is to attain 17 goals in the fifteen year period by 2030. There has been a great "buy-in" in that states have committed to these goals without exception.
High stakes as regime considers rights
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 19/02/2018
» A pre-Chinese New Year present from the government was Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's proclamation of the government's human rights agenda to complement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Thailand's "4.0" target to become a more developed society. Beyond the formalities, what are some of the stakes?