Bangkok--Dec 8--UNISBKK
The United Nations family is commemorating International Human Rights Day on 9 December at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
The program will begin at 13:00 hours, 9 December with remarks by OHCHR Acting Regional Representative for Asia-Pacific, Ms. Wan-Hea Lee and Mr.
Andrew Flatt, Officer-in-Charge, a.i. of UNESCAP, followed by a choir
performance by the students of Chulalongkorn University.
The program will continue with a panel and discussion from 13.50 ? 15.15 involving Mr. Sheldon Shaeffer, Director, UNESCO Office Bangkok and
Regional Bureau for Education; Ms. Theresa Limpin, Regional Coordinator,
Asia-Pacific Regional Resource Center for Human Rights Education and Mr.
Suthin Nophaket, Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of
Thailand.
The theme of Human Rights Day 2004 is dedicated to human rights education.
Human Rights Day allows us to recognize human rights educators, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Louise Arbour, says. These human rights
defenders, in formal and informal settings, in small or large communities,
often in threatening circumstances, contribute to building a universal
culture of human rights.
UNESCO Director-General Mr. Ko?chiro Matsuura says human rights education is a prerequisite of harmonious and peaceful development for public officials and for the whole of society.
Members of the public are invited to leave a human rights message on the ground floor of the UN Secretariat Building on the week of 9 December,
which will be exhibited during the event. In addition, human rights films will be shown in separate rooms from 12:00-13:00 hours, and from 14:00-15:15 hours. All are invited to participate, with notification to OHCHR (contact details below).
Note: International Human Rights Day is observed each year on 10 December, the day on which the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It is being commemorated in Bangkok on 9 December in deference to Thailand's Constitutional Day on 10 December.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND International Human Rights Day on Thursday 9 December, 2004, 13:00 ? 15:30 PM, UNCC Conference
Room 4, Rajadamnern Nok Ave, Bangkok.
For further information please contact:
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861-69, Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: [email protected] End.