Compare anti-discrimination laws in Thailand and define what you feel should be in any anti-discrimination laws and why.
The constitution of Thailand has anti-discrimination provisions “based on physical or health conditions and guarantees accessibility to social welfare and services for persons with disabilities”. The Thai constitution does not allow discrimination on the grounds of health status. The support of the Thai government for people with disabilities is embodied in various Cabinet resolutions, regulations and policies. The Thai government is dedicated to supporting people with disabilities as embodied in its various regulations and organizations such as The Persons with Disabilities’ Quality of Life Promotion Act, the National Commission for Promotion and Development of Disabled Persons’ Life Quality, The Persons with Disabilities Education Act and The Declaration on Rights for People with Disabilities in Thailand. However, at present, there are still no specific hate crimes or civil rights laws in Thailand which prohibits discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT). Despite the lack of laws on discrimination against people’s sexual orientations, Thailand is considered as a liberal country in terms of gender identities.
According to one’s beliefs, anti-discrimination laws should contain provisions that prohibit workplace or employment discrimination. The law should promote equal access to goods and services, education, health care, insurance, places and club memberships. It should specifically state that persons should not be refused employment based on age, disability, gender, marital or domestic status, race, religion and sexual orientation. The law should provide for equal employment opportunity policies with regards to hiring, promotions, termination and compensation. These stipulations should be present in any anti-discrimination law because they provide protection for every citizen of society. It will prevent incidences of harassment in any class of individuals. Anti-discrimination laws will result in making every person a productive member of society.
Anti-discrimination laws are of utmost importance today. With the era of globalization, it is necessary that every person is respected and accepted no matter what his background and beliefs are. It all boils down to respect for the human being.
References
International Labour Organization. (n.d.). Inclusion of people with disabilities in Thailand. Retrieved from ilo.org: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_emp/@ifp_skills/documents/publication/wcms_112307.pdf
The Human Rights Campaign. (2014). Workplace discrimination: Policies, laws and legislation. Retrieved from hrc.org: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/Workplace-Discrimination-Policies-Laws-and-Legislation
United Nations Development Programme. (2013). Legal protections against HIV-related human rights violations . Retrieved from reliefweb.int: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/HIV-2013-legal-protections-against-hiv-related-human-rights-violations.pdf
