As many groups plan to organize political rallies in many parts of Bangkok and provinces on 24 June 2021, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) and the Reconciliation Committee held a discussion on 22 June 2021 and agreed that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful and unarmed assembly are recognized by the Constitution. They are basic rights which are the foundation of democratic governance. It is, therefore, imperative to guarantee safe public space to exercise such rights based on peaceful means. Thus, both organizations agreed to have their representatives jointly observe and monitor the demonstrations in order to gain first-hand information on the situation.
          The NHRCT will be represented by Ms. Sayamol Kaiyoorawong and Ms. Preeda Kongpaen, National Human Rights Commissioners, together with a number of officers while Prof. Emeritus Surichai Wankaew and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Poom Moolsilpa, members of the Reconciliation Committee will join the team to monitor the demonstrations in Bangkok on 24 June 2021.
          The NHRCT and the Reconciliation Committee affirm that they will abide by the principle of impartiality and neutrality in the operation to observe and monitor the situations of human rights concerning the exercise of freedom of assembly.  They will observe whether the management of assemblies by government officers is consistent with human rights standards, the method of crowd control, if any, is in accordance with principles of necessity and proportionality. They will also observe the demonstrations whether they violate the rights of others and whether they are truly peaceful and unarmed.
          The implementation of such mandate is in accordance with Section 33 of the 2017 Organic Act of the National Human Rights Commission and the NHRCT policy platforms recently announced to the public. The document outlines the roles of the NHRCT that they will focus on the protection of human rights with fairness and without delay, the promotion of human rights culture with due respects for differences in opinions, respect for the rights and liberties of others under the law, leading to social harmony, non-discrimination and no hate speech insulting, disrespecting or degrading the human dignity of others.
          The NHRCT is of the view that human rights are matters of everyone to jointly create, protect and maintain. The NHRCT commits to work with all sectors both public and private, including civil society organizations, academic institutions, media, and young people in advocating and enhancing human rights standards in the country.
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