Showing 101 - 110 of 112
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.
Talks the only option in Syria's ferocious conflict
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 26/03/2014
» The conflict in Syria began in 2011. At the time, it was part and parcel of the “Arab Spring”, the awakening of Arab people in their quest for democracy and repudiation of authoritarian regimes. The conflict snowballed into a fully-fledged non-international armed conflict (civil war) at the beginning of 2012 and has since turned into an increasingly ferocious and fragmented war, with civilians bearing the brunt of the maelstrom.
ICJ sets down Preah Vihear ground rules
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 13/11/2013
» The ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday was both historic and momentous for many reasons. It should bring to a convergent conclusion (at least in juridical terms) the longstanding dispute between Thailand and Cambodia concerning sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding area.
The AEC's success rests with its youth
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 20/08/2013
» The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) was born in 1967 and will soon mark its half-century. Ubiquitous is the rallying call for the year 2015 as a turning point for Asean's integration as a community. News about the Asean Economic Community (AEC) seems to be all around us _ on television, posters and mass transit adverts. Yet, the whole process begs the question: how does Asean as a 10-member regional organisation contribute to the lives of its people, including its youth?
Torture, cruelty still cry out for a decent response
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 15/07/2013
» Torture and cruel treatment rear their ugly heads worldwide as a pervasive phenomenon. Today's world is all the more challenging where technology is used not only to cause harm but also to mask or hide the scars of such harm.
Giving content to the 'rule of law'
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 02/05/2013
» The term "rule of law" has been invoked increasingly in recent years as governments and civil society grapple with challenges facing their relationship.
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.
If they are born in Thailand, they belong in Thailand
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 16/01/2013
» In recent years, Thailand has witnessed various positive developments in guaranteeing child rights, which is most welcome.
Glimmers of hope for human rights gains
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 21/09/2012
» Asean has now established various mechanisms to promote and protect human rights in the region.