Showing 41 - 50 of 51
How Thailand can proceed with ambitious SDGs
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 11/09/2017
» Two years ago, the Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the global community at the United Nations General Assembly to guide global development for 2015-2030, encompassing all countries. They came hot on the heels of the UN's more modest Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set for 2000-2015.
'Asean human rights law' taking shape
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 11/05/2017
» Established in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. In retrospect, the organisation has progressed well in accommodating differences between countries and has contributed much to fostering peace and cooperation in the region.
Human rights in Asean remain precarious
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 18/07/2016
» The region covered by the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) is one of major contrasts. Some communities are rich, while others are poor. Several countries are non-democratic and democratic proponents walk a political tightrope. Situations of violence pervade parts of the region, despite the tranquil havens also found here.
UN's next human security challenge
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 30/05/2016
» The security of the human person -- "human security" -- is of paramount concern whether in war or peace. As a notion to guiding international and national development since the 1990s, it has gained traction in underlining freedom from want, freedom from fear and freedom to live in dignity. It is thus auspicious that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is organising a key international conference tomorrow on human security and sustainable development, sharing and learning between international, regional and national experiences.
Human rights still in second place to 'Asian values'
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 22/11/2015
» Earlier this year, a famous global weekly published an article titled “Asian Values”. Basically, it was delving into the longevity of various successful dynasties in the Asian region. Such is the debate in 2015.
Is Asean reeling in stormy economic waters?
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 19/07/2015
» This is a catalytic year for Asean, the 10-country organisation born in 1967 to drive regional integration in Southeast Asia. It is the year when Asean will become entrenched in the form of three interconnected communities: The Asean Political Security Community (APSC), the Asean Economic Community and the Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). These are all underpinned by blueprints to be put into action by the end of the year.
How to tackle extremism across Asian communities
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 18/07/2014
» The tide of religious extremism in the Asian region invites immediate attention. While there has been much recent coverage of extremist groups in Syria and Iraq which aim for an Islamic caliphate in their arc of radicalisation, other forms of religious extremism, including Buddhist extremists, have also emerged in South and Southeast Asia. The latter have attacked, as their target, minorities in their midst, particularly Muslim populations, such as Rohingya and other ethnic or religious groups.
Lessons of ‘Black May’ 1992 and the 2006 coup
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 23/05/2014
» The month of May is at times an ominous month for Thailand. In 1991, the military staged a coup against a civilian government, arguing it was corrupt.
Time for action over North Korea
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 22/04/2014
» Last week, for the first time, the UN Security Council held a special session on the situation of human rights in North Korea (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – DPRK). While the range of human rights abuses there are well-known to the international community, the Security Council took years before opting to discuss the issue. It was the voluminous findings of a UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights violations in North Korea, published recently, which propelled it to the top of the UN agenda.
A robust helping hand for displaced Rohingya, please
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 25/02/2013
» Although the term "Rohingya" is subject to various interpretations, it has been used in recent times primarily to cover the ethnic Muslim minority found in Myanmar's Rakhine State. Rohingya have sadly been in the news because of the violence, discrimination, dispossession and marginalisation to which they have been subjected. The depth of their tragedy cries out for a robust helping hand from their state of origin and the international community.