On 29 – 30 August 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for South-East Asia co-hosted the Regional Dialogue on the National Mechanisms for Reporting and Follow-up at the United Nations Convention Center, Bangkok. The Regional Dialogue aims to promote awareness and understanding, as well as sharing of best practices regarding the National Mechanisms for Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF) in Thailand and other countries in Asia and the Pacific. 

 

On this occasion, Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Director-General of the Department of International Organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered welcome remarks and Professor Emeritus Vitit Muntarbhorn delivered a keynote statement. About 50 participants responsible for drafting national reports on human rights from 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region attended the Regional Dialogue.

 

The Regional Dialogue provided a platform for the exchange of best practices and common challenges on reporting and follow-up. The technical-level workshop held on the second day of the Dialogue presented tools and ideas on establishing new NMRFs and enhancing existing NMRFs to be effective and coherent in following-up the implementation of recommendations by UN human rights mechanisms, including treaty bodies, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and special procedures under the Human Rights Council.

 

The Regional Dialogue on NMRF demonstrates one of Thailand’s constructive roles in the promotion and protection of human rights in the region and beyond.