On 5 March 2021, Asia Centre’s Drs. James Gomez and Robin Ramcharan participated in “The Official Launch of the Regional Center for Human Rights Study and Coordination” at the Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University. 

During the event, Drs. Gomez and Ramcharan, who are also the editors, presented Asia Centre’s publication “National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: Selected Case Studies“ to the Center’s founding Director, Dr. Titipol Phakdeewanich.

At the sidelines of the event, Drs. Gomez and Ramcharan met with Mrs. Prakairattana Thontiravong, Commissioner Act on behalf of the Chairperson and expressed interest of partnership with the Commission and its other regional centres in Thailand.

“The Regional Center for Human Rights Study and Coordination” at the Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University was established as part of efforts by the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand to set up regional knowledge centres within selected universities in the country. These centres disseminate information on the practice of human rights.

There was also an opportunity to establish contact with representatives from Bangkok-based diplomatic missions. These included the Canadian Ambassador, Dr. Sarah Taylor and the Embassy of Sweden’s Political Officer, Jintana Sakulborirak.

Drs. Gomez and Ramcharan also delivered remarks on COVID-19’s impact on human rights during a seminar hosted by Ajarn Kotchaphop Kornphetcharat. This presentation and others in Thailand are part of Asia Centre’s collaboration with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.

The activities at Ubon Ratchathani University mark Asia Centre’s engagement with provincial universities and regional centres of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand.