UN experts urge Thailand to show leadership on business and human rights

Thai version

BANGKOK (4 April 2018) – A team of UN experts today presented their preliminary observations on steps that should be taken by the Royal Thai Government and businesses to improve corporate respect for human rights and to strengthen access to effective remedies.

“We welcome the clear ambition of the Government to become a regional leader on business and human rights and encourage it to take decisive steps towards this objective,” said Dante Pesce, vice-chairperson of the Working Group on business and human rights, at the end of a 10-day visit to the country. (Full mission statement in English and Thai.)  

The experts noted how reports on trafficking and forced labour in the fishing industry had been a wake-up call for the Government, which had resulted in a concerted effort to stamp out abusive business practices. They called on the Government to take similar action in other sectors such as agriculture, energy, manufacturing and construction.

“The Government and businesses should improve policies and mechanisms to identify, mitigate and remedy human rights risks, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including for mega projects promoted by Thai companies and investments in other countries in the region,” said Surya Deva, the other member of the Working Group’s visiting delegation.

During the visit, the experts consulted with government authorities, the business sector and a wide range of civil society actors, including representatives of groups who are particularly at risk of business-related human rights abuse, such as migrant workers, human rights defenders, community activists, persons with disabilities and sex workers.

“One critical challenge for Thailand will be to end recurring attacks, harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders, union leaders and community representatives who speak out against business-related human rights abuse,” the experts said.

“More must be done to protect civic space, including protecting human rights defenders against civil and criminal defamation law suits filed by companies to silence those who stand up for the victims of abuse,” they added.

The experts welcomed the openness of the Government to discuss remaining challenges and to see how these could be tackled and addressed in a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights to be completed later this year.

“We have urged the Government to develop this plan through an inclusive and transparent process that includes all interested parties, including – and in particular – the critical voices, and we are hopeful that the Government will be able to deliver on its commitments,” the experts said.

The Working Group’s final report, including findings and key recommendations, will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2019.　

ENDS

The Working Group on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises was established by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011. Its current members are: Mr. Michael Addo, Mr. Surya Deva, Mr. Dante Pesce (current vice chair), Ms.AnitaRamasastry (current Chairperson), and Mr. Pavel Sulyandziga.

Learn more, log on to: www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/WGHRandtransnationalcorporationsandotherbusiness.aspx

The Working Groupsare part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent human rights monitoring mechanisms. The Working Groups report to the Human Rights Council and to the UN General Assembly.  Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. The experts are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.

UN Human Rights, country page –Thailand: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/THIndex.aspx

For additional information and media requests please contact:
In Bangkok: Laurent Meillan +66 (0) 22881605. meillan@un.org

In Geneva: UlrikHalsteen, +41 22 917 9323 (Geneva)/ +41 79 444 4332 (mobile number during the visit); wg-business@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact
Jeremy Laurence, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)

This year, 2018, is the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN on 10 December 1948. The Universal Declaration – translated into a world record 500 languages – is rooted in the principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” It remains relevant to everyone, every day. In honour of the 70th anniversary of this extraordinarily influential document, and to prevent its vital principles from being eroded, we are urging people everywhere to Stand Up for Human Rights: www.standup4humanrights.org.