Photo: UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Geneva
Thailand is "cautiously optimistic" about its bid for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which will be decided in a secret ballot this week, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Cherdchai Chaivaivit, Thailand’s Permanent Representative to the UN, told Thai PBS World that he is "cautiously optimistic" about the possible outcome of Thailand’s candidacy for the UNHRC. The 193 UN member states will vote on Wednesday, October 9, in a secret ballot at the UN headquarters in New York City.
"Thailand has a good track record on human rights. We are committed to advancing human rights both at home and abroad," he said, adding that Thailand can also share best practices, such as promoting the right to health under its Universal Health Coverage program.
In September, Thailand withdrew its reservation to Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which aligns with Thailand's pledge last year in Genera.
From now on, the country will protect children seeking refugee status or those who are considered refugees according to domestic and international laws.
Cherdchai noted that during Thailand’s previous term on the UNHRC from 2010 to 2013, the country proposed a resolution to enhance the capacity-building of UN member states in promoting human rights.
"We will do our best based on our strengths and build on what we have been doing," he said.
The UNHRC is an intergovernmental body within the UN system responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally. Established in 2006 by a UN General Assembly resolution, the UNHRC comprises 47 member countries from five regional groups: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Western Europe and others, and Eastern Europe.
For the 2025-2027 term, six Asia-Pacific countries are competing for five available seats on the council: Thailand, South Korea, the Marshall Islands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Cyprus.
