Thai BHR Network established to be at the centre of the Business & Human Rights discourse

BANGKOK, Thailand — Manushya Foundation gathered more than 70 participants comprising community members and leaders, academics, researchers, national and international NGO representatives during a 3-day workshop, Coalition Building Workshop on Business & Human Rights, held on 18 - 20 November 2017, at the Elizabeth Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop served as an opportunity for participants to share knowledge and strategies, and to mobilise to influence and lead the future of the business and human rights (BHR) discourse in Thailand. It was an important step for community members, academics, experts, and researchers to engage in an all-inclusive and participatory dialogue on BHR challenges, problems, strategies and possible solutions. The workshop addressed the importance of community mobilisation in the context of BHR in Thailand , elucidated the principles and mechanisms behind BHR frameworks, and served as an important venue for participants to form the 'Thai Business & Human Rights Network' (TBHRN).​

The TBHRN was therefore established to ensure communities are at the centre of the Business & Human Rights discourse, speaking with one strong unified voice, following a bottom-up approach to tip the balance of power and hold private actors and the Royal Thai Government accountable for their human rights obligations and business-related actions, using the lens of the UNGPs to do so. The TBHRN is an inclusive, intersectional network, including representatives focusing on the following issues: rights of migrant workers, labour rights (formal and informal workers), trade unions, indigenous peoples, stateless persons, community rights, land-related rights, environmental rights, people with disabilities, LGBTI individuals, sexual and reproductive health, drug users, people living with HIV, sex workers, women’s rights, the protection of human rights defenders, the impact of Thai outbound investments and trade agreements.

The workshop represents a key part of Manushya Foundation's Business & Human Rights strategy, in order to achieve its third objective aiming at empowering grassroots through the establishment of a sustainable national network on BHR comprising communities, academics and experts. The TBHRN will continue working together to influence the National Action Plan (NAP) on Business & Human Rights, monitor its implementation and push back to ensure its effectiveness. ​​

Check out the report to discover how we used the event to build communities capacities on Business & Human Rights and to establish the Thai BHR Network!

Access the report here.

See the photos from the BHR Coalition Building Workshop here.