Rights body challenges Thai UN council bid

[fab4]

UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Thailand loses bid to join UN rights body

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has failed to secure one of four vacant seats on the UN Human Rights Council , losing out to four others Asian countries, namely India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Qatar.

The UN General Assembly elected 15 new members of the 47member Council on Tuesday at the UN Headquarters here in New York.

With only four Asian seats available, Qatar edged out Thailand with 142 votes compared to Bangkok's 136. India got the most votes with 162, Indonesia received with 152, and Bangladesh 149.

The defeat is a blow to Thai government that has coup leader as the prime minister. Prayut Chanocha's government has been criticised of violating human rights and continuing to impose the martial law as a means of keeping control of the country.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the UN Human Rights Council addresses human rights violations and makes recommendations on them. It discusses thematic human rights issues, reviews countries' rights records, and acts on complaints.

The newly elected members will serve a 3year term and will start work in January. They are not eligible for reelection after two consecutive terms.

Among the four seats, India and Indonesia won their bids for reelection. The Philippines got one vote, even though it did not campaign for reelection. Manila is already a member of the Council and will end its term this year.

In its campaign, Indonesia pledged to promote religious freedom and tolerance as the world's third largest democracy, and the biggest Muslimmajority nation.

Besides Thailand, Costa Rica was the other candidate that lost a seat but for the Latin America and Caribbean States group.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Thailand-loses-bid-to-join-UN-rights-body-30246039.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-22

With only four Asian seats available, Qatar edged out Thailand with 142 votes compared to Bangkok's 136.

I, along with others no doubt, who do not live in that thieving, sorry thriving metropolis have always suspected that Bangkok and it's inhabitants think it's the only place in Thailand that matters, so this is either a Freudian slip or The Nation has just confirmed that viewpoint......................

Edited October 22, 2014 by fab4

[metisdead]

A post in foreign language has been removed.

[laocowboy2]

Qatar!!!???? What a joke. Suggest anyone interested Google the way Qataris treat foreign labour and even foreign footballers playing for Qatari teams. And Bangladesh is not exactly Switzerland either.

UPDATE:

UN Rejects Thailand From Rights Council
By Khaosod English


A delegate casts his country's ballot in the election of members for the Human Rights Council. [Photo: UN Photo/Evan Schneider]

BANGKOK – Junta-ruled Thailand failed to secure enough votes to join the United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday, losing to four other Asian nations that applied for the seats.

Thailand, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and Qatar were vying for four seats allotted to countries in the Asia-Pacific region in the UN rights group. Thailand was the only country not to make the cut, receiving 136 votes from members of the UN General Assembly, compared to 162 votes for India, 152 for Indonesia, 149 for Bangladesh, and 142 for Qatar.

Those four Asian nations will now join eleven other countries as new members of the UN Human Rights Council. They will serve a 3-year term starting on 1 January 2015.

There is no immediate reaction from Thai authorities.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1413954464

-- Khaosod English 2014-10-22

[Lupatria]

They are just observing human rights. No worries here. Thailand is still the number one in protecting the 'rights' of influential figures.

[fvw53]

...those Human Rights champions prefer to deal with "elected governments" ....never mind if they emptied the country the same way the Marcos dynasty did in the Philippines after winning (buying? all the presidential and parliamentary elections in which they participated.

[rickirs]

It appears that Thailand and Qatar would have had equal chances of being selected according to the Human Rights Risk Index as of December 2013. Qatar's political status from a human rights perspective was essentially unchanged for 2014. But Thailand experienced since May 2014 additional negative human right actions that seemed to have made it, as far as the majority of the UN General Assembly was concerned, disqualified for serious consideration. If the political status quo continues in Thailand for the next three years under NCPO oversight, it ought not bother to apply to the UN Human Rights Council. Maybe it can host another International Puppet Conference instead.

2014_Human_Rights_Risk_Index_Map.pdf

[ggt]

Does Thailand's people have any "rights"...if my memory serves me correctly...all "rights" as a democratic nation have been suspended and a curfew is in effect...

[jpeg]

Costa Rica? Didn't they at least abolish their army years ago?

[Don Aleman]

A very well hard worked for and deserved rejection.

[ChiangraiTony]

Well, it should now be crystal clear to Thailand that they have not been accepted by the UN. Hopefully now Thailand will not be so fragmented otherwise they would have never requested the vacant seat at the UN. If more worked closer together Thailand would not have now drawn more international attention. It's things like this that pose a negative spin for Thailand.

In my opinion, Thailand should not have jumped at the request but instead waited until they do more if they are sincere about making necessary improvements. At least now they will have a roadmap to follow based on the reasons given by the UN council. In someways this is a good thing for Thailand if they really care to follow what the report suggest. Let's hope so...

[jjablonsky]

UPDATE:

UN Rejects Thailand From Rights Council

By Khaosod English

A delegate casts his country's ballot in the election of members for the Human Rights Council. [Photo: UN Photo/Evan Schneider]

BANGKOK – Junta-ruled Thailand failed to secure enough votes to join the United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday, losing to four other Asian nations that applied for the seats.

Thailand, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and Qatar were vying for four seats allotted to countries in the Asia-Pacific region in the UN rights group. Thailand was the only country not to make the cut, receiving 136 votes from members of the UN General Assembly, compared to 162 votes for India, 152 for Indonesia, 149 for Bangladesh, and 142 for Qatar.

Those four Asian nations will now join eleven other countries as new members of the UN Human Rights Council. They will serve a 3-year term starting on 1 January 2015.

There is no immediate reaction from Thai authorities.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1413954464

-- Khaosod English 2014-10-22

Sorry for the lengthy reply but;

The UN as an oversight body on anything, is nothing more than a joke. Something that once was perceived as a great world stabilizing force has morphed into nothing more than a humanitarian aid group. That’s all that they can seem to accomplish anymore. When it comes to sanctions or actions against any country for anything it only takes one permanent member to veto and poof nothing get accomplished.

Way to many examples of the UN’s ineffectiveness to go into here so I’ll just give 2 quick examples:

China and The Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989

The world criticized and complained the UN met and debated, China (a permanent member of the UN Security Council) objected and vetoed any and all attempts at sanctions or “punishment” if you will and nothing was done.

Russia and its current incursion in Ukraine

Russia (a permanent member of the UN Security Council) has objected and vetoed any and all UN attempt to sanction or punish Russia and poof they have annexed Crimea. Leaving but a handful of countries putting meager sanctions on them.

Not really pertaining to the UN but: The latest of the many Thai Coup’s. The US and a few other countries complained but no real pressure has been brought to bear. The USA’s response was a mere $3,000. Cut in military aid, which in reality is like saying “OK we’re going to cut 1 tank from your delivery this year” The EU has brought only slightly more pressure but no real sanctions with teeth.

Is it any wonder why many Americans think that it is time for the US to withdraw from the UN?

Newly Elected 21/10/14

Albania

Bangladesh

El Salvador

Ghana

Latvia

Netherlands

Nigeria

Paraguay

Portugal

Qatar

Re-Elected to a second three year term

Bolivia, Botswana, Congo, India and Indonesia

Current members with their term expiration.

Algeria (2016) France (2016) Mexico (2016)

Argentina (2015) Gabon (2015) Montenegro (2015)

Brazil (2015) Germany (2015) Morocco (2016)

China (2016) Ireland (2015) Namibia (2016)

Côte d’Ivoire (2015) Japan (2015) Pakistan (2015)

Cuba (2016) Kazakhstan (2015) Republic of Korea (2015)

Estonia (2015) Kenya (2015) Russia (2016)

Ethiopia (2015) Maldives (2016) Saud Arabia (2016)

Sierra Leone (2015) South Africa (2016)

former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (2016)

United Arab Emirates (2015)

United Kingdom (2016) United States (2015)

Venezuela (2015) Viet Nam (2016)

Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

[Baerboxer]

While I might not have been an enthusiastic supporter of Thailand's bid, I sure as hell wouldn't want my human rights being protected by the likes of Qatar, Indonesia, Bangladesh or India . A sad reflection on the state of the world.

India is the worst place on the planet for human rights. Vast swathes use primitive superstitions as the law and rape is considered a just punishment for some. Low castes are treated like slaves and abused at will. Bonded labor, against the law, is rife and the authorities are always willing to look the other way. Their national and state politicians could even teach the Thais a thing or two about corruption. Their antiquated justice system is a bureaucratic nightmare. Qatar is great to visit, if you are a Western business person. If you are a migrant worker, from Asia, then maybe not so pleasant. I've been to the labor camps for construction workers there. Not a holiday camp at all. And of course, all foreign workers, including Western professionals require written permission from their employer before they can leave the country for any reason.

Never lived in the other 2 but from what I've heard from colleagues, not much better.

The whole UN is now just a big waste of space and money. Achieves zilch.

[getthaid]

or a foreigner who doesn't understand Thailand ?

Well said.

Any foreigner who disagrees with anything that thailand does, says or enforces clearly does not understand thailand!

Edited October 22, 2014 by getthaid

[Thai at Heart]

I am curious as to who funds "Human Rights Watch".

Was Brad Adams elected?

If not then he is in no position to criticize Khun Prayuth.

Does he think that, for example, Qatar has an elected government, and that it fully respects the right of Qatari Christians?

Or how about India with its rather nepotistic election arrangements, and its treatment of the lower castes in their society.

Is there a concomitant "Human Responsibilities Watch"?

These self-appointed, noisy busybodies should be ignored and not given any publicity.

Such a wonderfully typical answer. This isn't about the messenger, or Qatar or India.

It is an absolute judgement about Thailand. Either they have decent human rights or not.

Simple.

[englishoak]

Glad they didn't get a seat, atm Thailand deserves squat until it makes good on promises made.

[MJP]

A post has been removed.

Please folks, be a bit sensitive to the present political situation. Scott has issued guidelines at the link . . .

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/769792-notice-to-members-posting-in-thailand-news/

[Fred Flinstone]

It is very important to make one point here-

The Emu cannot fly

[MJP]

It is very important to make one point here-

The Emu cannot fly

I know this is totally off-topic, but it's late anyway. Why do chickens have wings? I was pondering this just yesterday,

If anyone knows how this evolutionary diversion happened, best PM me the answer rather than carry on my off-topic nonsense.

[Fred Flinstone]

My point is self evident in that the emu has weight restrictions -

Perhaps internationally - if you came to power without being voted into it -

You might be perceived as a heavy bird of sorts?

Example-

As Stars and Stripes recently reported:

The United States and Thailand will scale down next year’s Cobra Gold military exercise because of the rift in relations that followed Thailand’s military coup earlier this year.…Many consider the multinational exercise to be no longer permissible because its morally wrong

Clearly , the Eagle has disowned the EMU

Edited October 22, 2014 by Fred Flinstone

[Cake Monster]

Thailands bid to sit on a any Human Rights Council, is dillusional to say the least.

Only a few days ago, Johnathan Head of the BBC, was reporting that 53 mainly Bangladeshi and Rohingya people were rescued from a jungle camp in Thailand where they were being trafficked into slavery.

His report also contained a story ( unconfirmed ) of another 76 people, again Bangladeshi and Rohingya, that were also found at a seperate jungle camp site in the South of the country, where they were also to be trafficked.

All of these trafficked people reported really poor conditions, little food, and beatings.

Two Thais were arrested

These are serious abuses of human rights, and Thailand is seen as a major human trafficking hub in SE Asia, so the rejection of there bid to sit on any Human Rights Council, would be a fitting condemnatation of all the abuses suffered by people trafficked into Thailand, purely for financial greed.

[Oziex1]

Jeez look at that list Human Rights? Human Wrongs!

[outsider]

Thailand. Human rights.