Universal Declaration of Human Rights Voice Ms. Rosana Tositrakul, age 55 Bangkok senator and consumer rights activist “If everyone can access official information, I believe that there will be less corruption” Ms. Rosana Tositrakul, an elected Bangkok senator and human rights activist, shares her voice, based on her experiences in leading two corruption charges against the government. She asserts that the Official Information Act (1997) was a crucial tool for the success of both cases. She explains that in 1998, she led a coalition of 30 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) advocating consumer rights in a case involving corruption linked to medical and pharmaceutical procurement by the Ministry of Public Health. The coalition of NGOs submitted the case to the Office of the National Counter-Corruption Commission, leading to the conviction of the then Public Health Minister. In 2007, in collaboration with the Foundation for Consumers, Ms. Tositrakul filed a case to the Administrative Court against the entire cabinet regarding the privatization of the then Petroleum Authority of Thailand. The Official Information Act (1997) is becoming an increasingly important channel through which the Thai public can hold the government accountable, she believes. “Corruption problems in Thailand relate to public access to official information. If most of the information remains classified, everything is kept in the dark – beyond public scrutiny. The right to access official information puts the spotlight on corruption cases. If everyone can access official information, I believe that there will be less corruption cases because everyone can participate in holding the government accountable,” she adds. 88 Dignity and Justice for All of Us