In recent years, the concept of the “Human Rights City” has emerged as a transformative framework in urban governance, emphasizing the integration of human rights principles into local development policies. Notably, Gwangju’s Human Rights City model and the Global Charter-Agenda for Human Rights in the City (UCLG, 2011) have served as guiding references for cities seeking to institutionalize human rights at the municipal level. These frameworks underscore key principles including participation, inclusion, accountability, equity, and transparency, alongside the integration of citizen monitoring mechanisms and rights-based auditing in policy-making.
Recognizing the importance of these global developments, the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP), with the support of the Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, is implementing a research and development initiative titled “The Development of a Human Rights City for Thailand Based on International Standards.” The project responds to Thailand’s long-standing aspiration to cultivate a culture of human rights, foster respect for human dignity, strengthen good governance in local administrations, and build a shared framework to address systemic corruption and abuse of power—core issues contributing to inequality and unsustainable development.
The project aims to develop a contextualized model for Human Rights Cities in Thailand that aligns with international standards and best practices. The research employs a qualitative methodology, combining document analysis, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and non-participant observation. Fieldwork will be conducted in four internationally recognized model cities: Lund (Sweden), York (United Kingdom), Gwangju (South Korea), and Palu (Indonesia). These case studies will be analyzed to extract lessons learned, identify success factors, and examine practical procedures for the localization of human rights principles in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Yala.
Tentative Project Timeline
The project utilizes a ten-step qualitative methodology to develop a Human Rights City model tailored to Thailand. It begins with a comprehensive review of global literature and best practices, followed by in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and non-participant observations in four international model cities—Lund, York, Gwangju, and Palu. These activities engage local officials, academics, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community stakeholders to extract insights on success factors and participatory governance. Similar methods are applied in four Thai cities—Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Yala—to understand local contexts and challenges. The findings inform the drafting of a national model, the establishment of a Human Rights City governance mechanism, and the creation of advocacy materials. Public forums will be held in Bangkok in a hybrid format to ensure broad participation, including international voices. The process concludes with the development of a practical guide, policy recommendations, and final reporting to support institutional adoption and policy reform.
