คณะกรรมการสิทธิมนุษยชนแห่งชาติ National Human Rights Commission of Thailand 4. Situation of human rights issues of concern 26 There were 3 human rights issues of concern in 2019: i.e., community rights in natural resources and environmental management, the situation in the southernmost provinces, and human trafficking. As for the situation of community rights in 2019, amendments were made to the laws on community forests, national parks, and wildlife conservation and protection on the provisions that allow people to participate in the conservation and to exploit natural resources in the protected area. The NCPO Order No. 64/2557 on the suppression and prevention of forest encroachment and destruction of forest resources was revoked, but the legal procedures continue with the people who were arrested under the Order. Some groups of people have called on the government to solve forest and land problems, and to seek measures to help prosecuted citizens. Besides, there were also cases in which some groups of citizens disagreed with the changes in city planning in the Eastern Special Economic Corridor Development Project which did not involve public participation. There are concerns that the promulgation of a new factory law that allows small factories to be located in communities may cause pollution to the communities in the neighbouring area. There was also an objection to the construction of waste disposal plants in many areas because people were afraid that the plants would affect their health. In this regard, the NHRC has presented recommendations to the government: e.g., to require relevant agencies to have clear guidelines for participation of citizens and local communities in managing land and housing and in exploitation of natural resources; to review lawsuits against citizens; and to provide housing and suitable, arable land for people who had to leave their land and do not have a place to live and land to make a living. At the same time, the government should give priority to making clarification to the public about the implementation of development projects and environmental protection, particularly in matters of concern to the public, and to have measures in place to take care of people if affected, as well as measures to inspect the operation of factories or other businesses that may affect the environment and public health, and measures to solve problems and provide remedies for affected people.