Rights Beautiful Collection of Professor Saneh Chamarik which is not far apart from those of our Southeast Asian neighbours. Hopefully, again, it could help clarify our position in response to Tan Sri Dato Harun has just raised the doubt as to “who we are and in what direction to go”. To begin with, on the point of unity in diversity, repeatedly cited in Prof. Vitit’s presentation. So, to the phrase “human rights variations” as raised by our Working Group’s Co-Chairperson, Mr. Marzuki Darusman, as well as Dr. Hafid Abbas’s concern about the region’s vast diversifying elements, I would beg to draw your attention to our common ground in both geographical and historical terms. One does not have to elaborate on this point of reality among knowledgeable friends here. All this clearly constitutes quite a natural basis upon which unity, and for that matter cooperation and even regional institution, whatever to be called, could be created. Too often, we keep referring to “political will”. That is just the jargon of the old-fashioned kind of elitist politics. Of course, it still counts a great deal. But then shall we allow the dialogues of human rights and dignity to go down into the state of stagnation just for reason of outdated conservatism? Or worse still, with what is lately emerging in the form of neo-conservatives’ conspiracy bent on the unilateral and preemptive politico-military solution to the 9/11 incident and perceived terrorism.6 On our part as human defenders and promoters, be that as it may, shall we think of human rights merely as something antagonistic to the power-that-be? I strongly believe that, with positive thinking, we can do a lot of service not only to the people we naturally have in mind, but significantly also to contribute to the governments themselves in 6 Joshua Muravchik, “The neoconservatives unmasked”, International Herald Tribune, May 7, 2003, p. 8. R. C. Longworth, “Pushing democracy down world’s throat”, Bangkok Post, April 28, 2003, p. 7. Bill Clinton, “Agree with us or go to hell, that’s not the way…”, Agence France- Presse, as reproduced in The Nation, April 17, 2003, p.14A. Paul Krugman, “Presidential credibility: the rest of the world does not trust Bush”, International Herald Tribune, February, 26, 2003, p. 8. 10 OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THAILAND