Following recent news reports on the release of the UNSG’s Report on Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, relating to Thailand, the Royal Thai Government wishes to make the following clarifications:

1. The report was compiled by Mr. Andrew Gilmore, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) on Human Rights for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The compilation and presentation of the report was made pursuant to the UNHRC Resolution 12/2 adopted on 12 October 2009 inviting the UN Secretary-General to submit annual reports on Cooperation with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights to the Council.

2. The report features situations in 29 countries including Thailand. As for Thailand, the report features  cases of Mr. Maitree Chamroensuksakul and Ms. Sirikan Charoensiri. This year's report also includes follow-up cases from last year concerning the prosecution against human rights defenders in the Southern Border Provinces.

3. The above-mentioned cases are not, in any way, related to Thailand’s cooperation with human rights mechanisms. The coincidence in timing without credible related evidence should not suggest the negative intention or action of the Government including the officials involved towards human rights defenders in Thailand. The procedure in question follows relevant rules and principles of law.

4. Thailand has no policy or intention to threaten or intimidate human rights activists. The Royal Thai Government is fully aware of the significance of the protection of human rights defenders. The Government, specifically the Ministry of Justice, has embarked on a number of measures including, the establishment of a Working Group to Develop Protection Measures for Human Rights Defenders; conducting a workshop on human rights defender protection framework; publication of the “Handbook to Protect Human Rights Defenders”; conducting field trips to monitor the situation of human rights defenders in various provinces; as well as producing weekly reports on the situations of rights and liberty violations and human rights to be submitted to the Prime Minister.

The Government is currently working on the amendment of Witness Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003) and will include the issue of human rights defenders in the draft 4th National Human Rights Plan (2019 – 2023). Moreover, the Prime Minister has established the Committee to Receive Complaints and Investigate Allegations of Torture and Enforced Disappearance, chaired by the Minister of Justice.

5. On 19 September 2018, the Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva will attend the presentation of the UNSG Report on Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights by Assistant Secretary-General Gilmore. At the meeting, the Thai Permanent Representative  will take the opportunity to clarify issues pertaining to Thailand and reaffirm Thailand’s commitment to the protection of human rights defenders.