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