With UN credentials to live up to, the country will be under greater pressure to maintain its good record on rights
Thailand asked for it and got it. From now on, the human rights situation in this country will be constantly under the international microscope as never before. If the country shirks its responsibility and does not adhere or live up to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the members of the UN Human Rights Council will certainly alert the world. The country will be shamed, and it will be the best way to tarnish our own reputation.
Kudos must go to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who did not budge when they were urged by international and Thai human rights groups to withdraw from bidding for a seat at the Human Rights Council.
The result was telling. Thailand came in second with 182 votes after the Maldives (185), despite the political crisis that was brewing on the streets of Bangkok. The result indicates the country's diplomatic and human rights credentials. Indeed, it is even better, as Thailand's human rights performance must now be even more transparent and accountable. Subsequently, UN Permanent Representative Srihasak Puangketkoew was elected as the council's president. He is the fifth president of the 47-member panel, which examines human rights worldwide.
The desire to promote human rights is very pertinent. Some Human Rights Council members have to defend their countries' appalling human rights records at the international level. The current government does not have to do that. Why? With dozens of powerful local and international human rights advocacy groups monitoring the country, Thailand is under 24-hour human rights surveillance anyway. Failure, which often means insufficient progress, will draw attention, criticism and protest. Any group or individual to first take up a particular case will get credit. And the Abhisit government tolerates it.
This is in line with Abhisit's own governance ideal. Throughout his premiership, he has committed to international standards and norms. It is his mantra. Now, he has to make sure that this international inspiration is translated to local standards and practices regarding cases of alleged human rights abuses and violations, either during peacetime or political conflict.
At the moment, all eyes are focused on alleged human rights violations that occurred during the recent political violence. Thus, the government must come clean. But it will take time. Within the Asean region, no other country has Abhisit's courage in sticking out his neck on human rights. And in the end, if his word proves hollow, this man of integrity will not be able to stay in his job.
Regardless of the UN portfolio, Thailand cannot escape scrutiny on human rights, as it is currently preparing for its first universal peer review at the UN. Several Asean countries with debatable human rights records have gone through this procedure and come away unscathed. In the review, the Thai government and authorities concerned must report on the conditions and answer basic questions pertaining to action or follow-up action on cases of alleged abuse. Any question can be raised and Thailand must provide the answer.
This country has nothing to hide on its human rights record. But in this age of globalisation, we have to be ready for any onslaught by ill-intentioned elements when allegations of human rights abuses are raised at the international level.