The Rights of People Living with HIV and Drug Users:
THAILAND'S THIRD UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW CYCLE
 29 September 2021

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 The Rights of People Living with HIV and Drug Users was prepared by Manushya Foundation and Health and Opportunity Network (HON) on the basis of their Joint UPR Submission on the Rights of PLHIV and Drug Users, with the Thai Positive Women Network and IDPC.

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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 The Rights of People Living with HIV and Drug Users. During the 2nd UPR cycle, Thailand received only one recommendation specifically addressing drug use and HIV, to “reinforce the harm reduction of measures targeting drug users in order to avoid adverse health effects, including increased HIV infections and hepatitis”, made by Colombia, which it supported. It also received a total of 54 recommendations related to the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and Drug Users, of which it supported 47 and noted seven.

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This factsheet addresses the challenges and issues that persist regarding The Rights of People Living with HIV and Drug Users include: 

• Lack of legal framework to protect the Rights of PLHIV and Drug Users

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• PLHIV face employment discrimination

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• HIV-positive students face barriers in accessing education and sex education in schools

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• PLHIV and Drug Users face barriers in accessing healthcare services

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• The impact of COVID-19 on PLHIV and Drug Users

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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)