Following the review of Thailand by the UPR Working Group on 11 May 2016, the ‘Human Rights Defenders at the UPR Thailand 2016’ side event will discuss the views of civil society from 13h00-14h30 at the Palais des Nations.

Human rights defenders in Thailand remain at high risk for protecting their communities and their environment. These defenders are working in a context of expanding militarization, criminalization, surveillance, and violence. Of particular concern is the dire situation of community-based HRDs, women HRDs, and young HRDs.

Against this background, state authorities have consistently failed to protect and give an inadequate response to attacks on human rights defenders perpetuating a climate of impunity and insecurity, which has led to over 50 killings of environmental and land rights activists in the past decade. At this side event of the 25th Session of the UPR, panelists, including defenders from Thailand, will discuss protection, outcomes, and progress regarding human rights defenders in the country.

For more information please download the Human Rights Defenders at the UPR Thailand 2016 Side Event 11 May 2016 pdf.

“For those who died trying” photo exhibition will also run in Geneva from 9-11 May 2016 at Places des Nations.