The Working Group
for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism congratulates Thailand’s
Representative to the AICHR
The Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism
is elated at the appointment of its Chair of the Thai
Working Group as the representative of the Kingdom of
Thailand to the newly-established ASEAN Intergovernmental
Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree
is currently a Professor and a former Director of the
Office of Human Rights Studies and Social Development
of the Mahidol University in Thailand and a member of
the Subcommittees on Human Rights Situation Assessment,
Child Rights, and Administration of Justice and Legislation
of the Thai National Human Rights Commission. She is known
for her knowledge and expertise on human rights and for
her dignified and principled personality who is strong
in her convictions and beliefs.
“I hope that, one day, we will have governments
that care about human rights and are ready to respect,
protect and promote the rights of the citizen. I hope
that the majority, if not all people will be aware of
their rights and will not hesitate to protect their own
rights,” thus, she said in an interview by the Working
Group for its newsletter (The Human Rights Herald,
August 2006), when asked about her aspirations for ASEAN.
Now, as a member of the AICHR (and Chair up to the end
of Thailand’s Chairmanship of ASEAN by the end of
this year), Dr. Petcharamesree is in a good position to
move a step closer to her vision.
In an interview with Achara Ashayagachat of the Bangkok
Post, Dr. Petcharamesree explained that when it comes
to her principles, she will be open to varying opinions
and will also be cooperative in working out details of
certain issues. However, she asserted that she does not
like to compromise her principles and doesn’t have
the diplomatic skills to negotiate if those skills would
mean offering blank promises without an honorable commitment.
Indeed, there is a lot of work to be done. However,
a lot of people, especially from civil society organizations,
are hopeful with what she brings in to the AICHR. We wish
Dr. Petcharamesree success in her new role in advancing
human rights in the region.
