Cablegate: Thailand Declares Candidacy for United Nations

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #2518/01 2750753
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 020753Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8475
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 5459

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002518

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UN UNGA TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND DECLARES CANDIDACY FOR UNITED NATIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 2010-2013 SLOT

1. (SBU) The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) sent a
Diplomatic Note (Dipnote) to the U.S. Embassy September 15
announcing its decision to submit its candidacy for the UN
Human Rights Council (HRC) from 2010-2013 in elections to be
held in May 2010 and asking for U.S. support. The dipnote
outlines the Royal Thai Government (RTG) commitment to
vigorously pursue the human rights that are guaranteed in the
Thai Constitution, to make human rights promotion an
important element of Thai foreign policy, and to support
effective protection of the rights of women, children, the
disabled, the vulnerable, and marginalized. The RTG
underscored its work as ASEAN chair to transform ASEAN into a
rules-based and people-oriented organization, with human
rights in the forefront, and highlighted its ongoing role in
hosting refugees and displaced persons from neighboring
countries. Full text of dipnote follows.

BEGIN TEXT:

-The Royal Thai Embassy presents its compliments to the
Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to
inform the latter that the Royal Thai Government has decided
to submit its candidacy to the United Nations Human Rights
Council for the mandate 2010-2013, at the elections to be
held in New York in May 2010.

-Thailand has long attached great importance to the promotion
and protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms and
democracy. It was among the first countries to endorse the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948,
and has since become a state party to most of the core
international human rights instruments. Thailand's 2007
Constitution is recognized for its embracement of all rights,
be it political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights,
as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and other core human rights instruments, providing a national
framework for the effective implementation of the rights of
the Thai people.

-The Royal Thai Government has declared human rights as one
of its top national agenda to be pursued vigorously and
seriously to ensure that rights guaranteed in the
Constitution will be effectively implemented. Furthermore,
the promotion and protection of human rights is an important
element of Thai foreign policy, as reflected in the
Government's policy statement which stated that it will seek
to promote Thailand's interaction with the global community
in setting international standards, particularly on the
promotion and protection of democratic values, human rights
and humanitarianism. As such, Thailand has decided to
present its candidature to the Human Rights Council. Such
action reflects the commitment of Thailand to assume
responsibilities as a responsible stakeholder in the
promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. In so
doing, Thailand hopes to be able to make a greater
contribution to the work of the HRC, to ensure that the HRC
fulfills its mandate and functions as stipulated in the UNGA
resolution on its establishment.

-Thailand's contributions to the promotion and protection of
human rights is reflected in many different fronts and at all
levels:

-At the national level, a comprehensive national human rights
infrastructure has been established, including independent
national human rights institutions and legislative and policy
frameworks, with the Government being committed to its
effective implementation so that the rights of people are
protected, with special attention being accorded to the
rights of the child, the rights of women, the rights of
persons with disabilities, the rights of older persons and
the rights of other vulnerable or marginalized groups.

-At the regional level, as chair of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2008-2009, Thailand is
committed to working with ASEAN member states to transform
ASEAN into a rules based and people-oriented regional
organization and in enhancing human rights and fundamental
freedoms as a key feature of the ASEAN Community. The
realization of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on
Human Rights (AICHR) is a key pillar in these efforts.

-At the international level, Thailand has continued to uphold
a long humanitarian tradition of hosting refugees and
displaced persons from neighbouring countries despite new and
pressing challenges. Thailand has also been playing an
active part in the international human rights fora. Thai
mandate holders have served in several human rights treaty
bodies and special procedures. Bangkok continues to provide
a conducive climate for the regional endeavours of around 32
UN offices, in particular the South East Asia Regional Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Numerous
international and regional meetings on human rights have been
held in Thailand, which has also been a strong advocate of
the human security perspective in national and international
frameworks. Last but not least, Thailand has supported the
work of the HRC since its inception and rendered its full
cooperation in the strengthening of the HRC's institution
building process.

-Thailand is committed to continuing to work closely and
constructively with other countries, both members and
non-members, to make the HRC an effective human rights
institution based on the principle of impartiality,
transparency, as well as constructive dialogue and
cooperation. It is committed to serving as a good partner
for constructive and innovative initiatives in the human
rights field. With Thailand's determination and concrete
commitments toward the advancement of human rights both at
home and abroad, it is Thailand's hope that the presentation
of its candidature will be conducive and meaningful to the
noble cause of the Human Rights Council.

-In this connection, the Royal Thai Government would be most
grateful for the support of the Embassy of the United States
of America for its candidature to the Human Rights Council
for the term 2010-2013.

-The Royal Thai Embassy avails itself of this opportunity to
renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the
assurances of its highest consideration.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok
15 September B.E. 2552 (2009)

END TEXT.
JOHN

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