On 14 December 2018, the Department of International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Rights and Liberties Protection Department of the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Regional Office for South-East Asia, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) co-organized an event entitled “The 70^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1st Anniversary of Thailand’s Human Rights National Agenda: Towards  a Caring and Sharing Society” at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. Over 200 representatives from government agencies, diplomatic corps, international organizations, the private sector, civil society organizations, as well as the general public including the youth attended the event.

The event aimed to strengthen awareness on human rights in Thai society, support the ongoing efforts to continue the human rights work at the national and international levels, and reaffirm the Government’s commitments in promoting and protecting human rights in Thailand and beyond.

Key activities during the event comprised of: (1) Keynote address ‘Towards a caring and sharing society: Reflections from experiences working for refugees and promoting human rights’ by Ms. Praya Lundberg, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in Thailand; (2) Research project launch ‘Media and the promotion and protection of human rights of those in vulnerable situations’ by the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; (3) Book launch ‘Konmek’s Dream’ - Human Rights Education Series by Ms. Kanoknand Dhupatemiya,  and (4) Special talk with Alexface and Muebon, Thailand’s street artists followed by a collaborative street art project ‘Human Rights Art’ on the occasion of the 70^th Anniversary of the UDHR by the participants with Alexface and Muebon (live painting). The art piece would be presented to the UN at the appropriate occasion.

H.E. Dr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Somn Promaros, Director-General of the Rights and Liberties Department, Ministry of Justice, and Ms. Cynthia Veliko, Regional Representative of OHCHR, Regional Office for South-East Asia, delivered opening remarks.

The Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that human rights are closely related to everyone, whereby Thailand has had positive developments on human rights, including the Government’s announcement of human rights as a national agenda. Thailand would also continue to improve itself by building on its past achievements and mainstreaming human rights in the country’s sustainable development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has put efforts in advocating international norms and standards applicable to Thailand and, at the same time, sharing Thailand’s best practices with the world. The Advisor also stressed that innovation is key to affordable and sustainable solutions and that everyone, including agencies at all levels and the youth, can play constructive roles in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Highlights included the inspiring conversation with Ms. Lundberg, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in Thailand, as well as the lively participation of high-level representatives from Thai agencies, the diplomatic corps, international organizations and the general public in spray-painting an art piece with ALEX FACE and MUE BON.

The event was part of “Thailand’s Human Rights Month” organized by Thai government agencies, international organizations, foreign embassies in Thailand and CSOs to commemorate the 70^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights throughout the month of December.

For photos and video clips of the event, please visit Facebook page: Rights Now at https://web.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2070500999662789&type=1&l=76f5781473 and https://www.facebook.com/100002392995327/posts/1981785661911181/