Asian Civil Society Discuss a Ways Forward from the Thailand Military Coup
Manila, Philippines- With the military taking seizure on May 22, 2014, there has been a great setback on human rights and democracy in Thailand. In response, a conference was held from July 17-18 at the University of the Philippines Asian Center, in the name of Thailand: Human Rights and Democracy in Crisis. The conference gathered key Asian civil society actors in human rights and democracy. The solidarity of the Asian community and its expression of standing beside the Thai people were reaffirmed when the International Solidarity Group for Thai Democracy and Human Rights (ISG-Thai) came into fruition.
Jointly organized by FORUM-ASIA, University of the Philippines Asian Center, and the Asia Democracy Network (ADN), the conference provided a platform for civil society activists from Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, South Korea, Thailand, and international non-governmental organizations. It was recognized that despite the differing political ideology during this crisis for democracy, it is crucial that human rights be respected and a democratic civilian government be reinstated.
The newly formed International Solidarity Group for Thai Democracy will soon release a detailed statement on the results of the discussions at the conference.
