Manushya Foundation submitted this report in October 2023 to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment in response to a call for input under Promoting Environmental Democracy: Procedural elements of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. It aims to inform the Special Rapporteur’s analysis and thematic report that will be presented at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

 

Our report ‘Environmental Democracy In Thailand & Laos: Barriers & Good Practices’ provides a comprehensive overview on the policies implemented by Thailand and Laos that infringe on the human rights related to the enjoyment of a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. We specify the barriers in place through four case studies, three in Thailand and one in Laos. The report identifies how the current framework infringes the right to access information, right to public participation, access to justice with effective remedies, right to freedom of expression, and right to peaceful assembly. The report goes further to offer good practices and recommendations that need to be implemented to ensure all rights are respected.