Showing 91 - 100 of 117
The new face of gender equality
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 09/02/2018
» Welcome to some innovative and refreshing action in favour of gender equality recently! A few days ago, Malaysia’s highest court, the Federal Court, passed a judgement in favour of a Hindu woman whose husband had changed his religion to Islam, without her knowledge, and whose husband then changed the religion of the children to Islam, without the mother’s consent. The court underlined that consent on the part of both parents was needed to change the religion of the children.
Toward global compacts on refugees and migrants
Asia focus, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 29/01/2018
» 2018 is a significant year for the global community to converge on two commitments: the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The seeds for these agreements were sown in 2016 when leaders adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants which called for an international framework for cooperation by 2018. The current momentum is to adopt such compacts in the latter half of 2018, and Thailand has been completing a round of discussions as potential inputs.
Mixed bag in global fight for sexual identity equality
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 04/11/2017
» Everyone has some form of sexual orientation and gender identity. Sexual orientation denotes a person's attraction towards others, while gender identity concerns a person's self-perceived identity, which may be different from the sex assigned at birth, as well as the expression of gender identity. The issue is particularly interlinked with the lives of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people, abbreviated as "LGBT". There are implications for Intersex persons (persons born with atypical features) -- abbreviated as "I", although their concerns are more related to the issue of sex characteristics.
Child protection can unite Asean
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 09/10/2017
» Is the 50-year-old Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) still young at heart? Much of the Asean region in fact will be faced with an ageing population in the coming decades. Meanwhile, the interface between children and the protection of their rights will still be a pervasive challenge.
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.
SOGI violence must stop right now
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 19/05/2017
» This week is a timely reminder of the need for concerted action to counter the phenomenon of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), a trend which is pervasive worldwide.
'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.