Preface The year 2008 marks the Diamond Jubilee of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an anniversary that should be celebrated by each and every one of us as we commemorate the roadmap to achieve one of the core aims of the United Nations: the promotion and protection of human rights. The theme of this year’s global campaign, “Dignity and Justice for All of Us,” reinforces the vision of the Declaration as a commitment to universal dignity and justice. The United Nations Country Team in Thailand, in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, decided to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Declaration by strengthening people’s knowledge about the rights enshrined in the Declaration and supporting the country’s current efforts to establish effective mechanisms for their protection. This initiative is based on the belief that the principles in the Declaration should be better known and understood by all people, paving the way for a more equal and sustainable society based on dignity and justice for all. As part of a year-long campaign, the United Nations Country Team and the National Human Rights Commission joined hands to produce this publication, Dignity and Justice for All of Us: Our Voices are Heard in Thailand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also lent its invaluable support to this endeavour to further promote and advocate human rights throughout the country. We are grateful for the efforts made by the Ministry to update the translation of the Declaration into Thai and for a series of important activities it has organized in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Declaration. As one of the first countries in Asia to endorse the Universal Declaration 60 years ago, Thailand has made remarkable progress in adopting and establishing the necessary frameworks for the enjoyment of its provisions. Along with a number of other countries, Thailand has recently acceded to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and has adopted a landmark law on domestic violence. However, there are many challenges that remain to be addressed before all the rights are realized for all the people living in the Kingdom. Our Voices are Heard in Thailand v