Rights Beautiful Collection of Professor Saneh Chamarik The last paragraph is being cited in full here in order to present an overview of expected “public participation in the governance and inspecting the exercise of State power” from the various angles of State’s activities, as provided by law. The NHRC serves as one among the newly-created independent institutions. Unlike all the others, though, it does not have the authority to pass judgment or impose penalty on anybody. This is correct, however. Its real task is basically to see to it that the State authorities concerned do their proper jobs, and along with that to assume an enabling role in promoting social learning and awareness. For the purpose, the NHRC attaches great value and importance to education, research and the dissemination of knowledge on human rights. These are of course prescribed by the Constitution as part of the NHRC’s functions. But the point is to make it a proactive approach to the whole task of human rights promotion and protection. For, despite its official status as State agency, it is strongly believed that its effectiveness rests in the last analysis with the society as a whole. All this means that the NHRC is to organize itself in such a way as to serve not only as rights defenders, but also as social-learning promoter. That is why we take it upon ourselves the task and working principle to serve as part and parcel of society, not apart from it. That is to say, to be open, transparent, and accessible to the public at large. Before going further to the question of how to go about fulfilling our job as intended, one most significant point needs to be brought to attention here for the benefit of mutual learning and understanding. Earlier on, mention has already been made concerning the nature and reality of human rights in a great variety of specific contexts and circumstances that bring about human aspirations for freedom. The universality of human rights is indeed dynamically created out of this plurality. In other words, what we are really looking for is unity in diversity, and certainly not authoritarian or totalitarian brand of universality where only might makes right. Thailand is one such case, like any others that have been going through decades of OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THAILAND 75