Universal Declaration of Human Rights A man, age 43 belonging to the Lisu ethnic minority group Chiang Rai province Voice “We are Thai people as well” A 43-year-old man from the Lisu ethnic minority group living in Chiang Rai province shares his experience, describing some positive developments he has witnessed towards achieving greater equal rights and opportunity. Nonetheless, he also expresses concerns he believes must be addressed. Positive achievements he describes include the fact that civil society organizations are now able to negotiate and enter into dialogue with the Royal Thai Government, and that the government has become state party of several international conventions that have been put to good use. The fact that ethnic minority groups have realized the need to claim their own rights, he believes, has been critical. As an example, he mentioned the 1999 incident in which tens of thousands of ethnic minorities stood up for their own rights in a demonstration in front of the city hall in Chiang Mai. As a result, he claims that the confidence of the groups improved, particularly in mobilizing partnerships with academia and the private sector, and also in entering into dialogue with local authorities to address issues related to ethnic minorities and their equal rights. He asserts that many challenges still remain, particularly those related to the issue of nationality, land rights, shelter and access to national identification cards, as well as the right to administer natural resources. He also stated that ethnic minority groups are vulnerable to threats and restrictions to movement and relocation, and that they cannot access government services. “We are Thai people as well,” he emphasizes, and claims that ethnic minority groups should enjoy the same rights as other Thai citizens. He further highlighted that Thai society suffers from ethnic prejudice and discrimination and that public perception of the ethnic minority groups is that they are treated as “second-class” citizens. On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he recommends that the United Nations work with the government so that policies giving serious support to protecting and promoting the rights of ethnic minority groups can be adopted. He also recommends that these groups be given free and direct access to the United Nations. This, he claims, will enable Thailand to fully comply with the Universal Declaration as well as create a more enabling environment. 14 Dignity and Justice for All of Us