On 13 May 2016, the Thai delegation led by Mr. Charnchao Chaiyanukij, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, attended an adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group report on the review of Thailand (Second Cycle) during the 25th Session of the UPR Working Group in Geneva, Switzerland.

In his statement after the adoption of the report, the Permanent Secretary expressed his appreciation to other countries for their opinions, recommendations, and encouragement to support Thailand’s efforts in advancing human rights.  He also noted that the Second Cycle Review of Thailand had been conducted in a constructive and equal manner.  He believed that several recommendations are in line with the principles that Thailand upholds and the Government’s policy direction.

Of the 249 recommendations received, 181 or 72.69 per cent were immediately supported by the Thai delegation, as compared to 58.24 per cent in the first cycle.   These include: taking steps to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED)
and Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT); improving human rights infrastructure and measures; strengthening human rights protection of women, children and persons with disabilities; enhancing the rights to education, healthcare and safe working conditions; and, supporting inclusive participation and freedom of expression. The delegation will bring back the 68 remaining recommendations to Thailand for further deliberation with relevant agencies before seeking the Cabinet’s approval. Thailand will inform whether it will support additional recommendations during the 33rdsession of the Human Rights Council in September 2016.

In addition to the recommendations accepted, Thailand made several voluntary pledges to further improve and protect human rights in Thailand. These are, inter alia, aligning domestic legislations with its international obligations and recommendations by the treaty bodies. The government will also work closely with civil society, the business sector and other countries in order to implement the accepted recommendations. The voluntary pledges will be included in the final report to be adopted at the 33th Session of the Human Rights Council in September.

UPR is a process under the United Nations Human Rights Council that allows members states of the United Nations to exchange views and make human rights recommendations to each other in a constructive and equal manner. Thailand is scheduled to present its National UPR report for the Third Cycle in 2020. In addition, it will also submit a voluntary midterm review in 2018