Thailand will be reviewed by UN Member States on all its human rights record during its Third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) taking place on 10 November 2021 at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva (39th Session of the UPR Working Group).

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To tell the truth behind #WhatsHappeningInThailand and to guarantee Recommending States make SMART recommendations that will hold the Thai government accountable on its international human rights obligations and will improve the situation on the ground, Manushya Foundation, local community members of the Thai CSOs Coalition for the UPR and the Thai BHR Network, and partner Civil Society Organizations have prepared UPR Advocacy Factsheets addressing the most challenging human rights issues and providing community-led UPR recommendations to be made to the Thai government.

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The UPR Factsheet on Human Trafficking was prepared by Manushya Foundation, Thai BHR Network and Indigenous Women's Network of Thailand (IWNT) on the basis on their Joint UPR Submission on Business & Human Rights in Thailand.

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The UPR Factsheet examines the compliance of Thailand with the recommendations it received during its 2nd UPR cycle in relation to Human Trafficking. During its 2nd UPR cycle, Thailand received 15 recommendations concerning human trafficking, which it supported. Out of 14 recommendations, only two recommendations have been fully implemented, with the 13 other recommendations only partially implemented. Amongst others, Thailand accepted a recommendation from Uganda to “ratify the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons,” as well as a recommendation from Norway to “give priority to the implementation of the Palermo Protocol and the prosecution of persons benefiting from human trafficking.”

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This factsheet addresses the challenges and issues that persist regarding Human Trafficking include: 

 

• Widespread corruption and official complicity continue to hinder efforts in the fight against trafficking

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• The difficult process of accessing judicial remedy in trafficking cases, including systematic disincentives, dissuades trafficking victims from seeking prosecution

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• Human trafficking is closely associated with people smuggling and illegal migration, making it difficult to clearly identify trafficking victims​

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• The absence and denial of citizenship rights to indigenous women make them particularly vulnerable to human trafficking

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The UPR Factsheet includes community-led UPR recommendations for Recommending States to use when making their UPR recommendations to the Thai government and ensure their recommendations address the needs of local communities on the ground. It is critical for diplomats to make recommendations that are directly coming from communities to improve the human rights situation on the ground; as communities are experts of their issues: they live with the challenges and they also know the solutions they need to advance their human rights.

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Learn more about our work with UN Human Rights Mechanisms (Click here)