Common Rights and Power

Does it say something about the nature of civil society and peoples’ movements in Esan when the Khon Kaen University Law Center hosts an event that openly critiques and criticizes the Thai legal system?

Firstly, it says clearly that peoples’ organizations and their allies understand the problems in society to be rooted in a system that does not respect our basic human rights.  This system is made up of capitalist interests that have the power to violate human rights and destroy our environment.  This system is also made up of political power, which enables privateinterests to “develop” the northeast via more dams, mines and economic infrastructure.

Student activists of Isaan Human Right Network are sharing their experiences to participants

Secondly, such an event acknowledges that information is power.  When people cannot transparently access information about the states’ policies and projects, laws become tools for capitalists and state representatives to destroy the power of the people.  Yet when villagers are able to actively participate, they empower themselves as developers themselves and their human rights are respected.

These ideas all came to play at the annual Human Rights Festival at Khon Kaen University from December 8-9, hosted by CIEE and the University’s Law Center.  Human rights are a way out for Thailand’s socio-economic crisis and a way forward for justice and equality in society.  Peoples’ movements in Esan have long been based in the struggle for common rights and sustainable livelihoods, but the state often does not understand the truths of development.  Violations of the peoples’ social and political rights continue throughout Esan.

In Lampaneing, Nongbualampu province, over 200 families continue to struggle with the impacts from the states’ “agricultural irrigation” project that destroyed natural water management systems.  Communities within the Khon Kaen slum network faces the threat of eviction and loss of land rights as “potential land” is hawked to Central Plaza – villagers living in the Mittrapap communities have been disregarded in the Municipalities’ dreams to accommodate shoppers and consumption enthusiasts.

Healthcare in Thailand is affordable thanks to the National Health Security Office, but members of the TNP+ HIV/AIDS network are still insecure given the government’s free market approach.  The HIV/AIDS health crisis has enabled emergency production of generic drugs for patients in need, but the international trade regime and it’s backbone of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) demands the profit of Western pharmaceutical corporations.

Thai Labor is under increasing pressure from corporations seeking cheap labor in Esan, Bangkok and abroad.  The global economic crisis has caused footwear factories to be closed and labor protection laws violated.  Reebok, Nike and other corporations must be held responsible by both government and consumers.

The percent increase in chemical use in agriculture is equal to the increase of cancer in the population.  Is this just coincidence or is there a correlation?  The irresponsible use of pesticides and herbicides in our agricultural system has damaged the health and livelihood of millions of Esan farmers.  The Alternative Agriculture Network has worked hard to build safe alternatives for farmers and the environment, but the government cannot seem to stay true

to its word, especially given the recent political-ecological crisis in Kudchum, Yasothon.

But who is working to solve these problems and support villagers?  Civil society allies are essential to any peoples’ movement, but youth and students are now building new roles in the movement for human rights protection a

nd promotion.  The festival brought together students and youth from Ubon Ratchatani, Mahasarakam, Loei, Chaiyapum, Khon Kaen and Yasothon provinces to exchange experiences and ideas about human rights work in their communities and campuses.

Student organizations like Daodin in Khon Kaen, Tieng Naa in Mahasarakam, and English Crazy Club and Friday Friends in Ubon are working to link up with other university groups and form a student network for human rights.  Youth from Na Nong Bong in Loei province, which has been heavily impacted by water poisoning from a gold mine, and from Khon San, in Chaiyapum province, which is fighting for community land rights, are also educating themselves further about human rights and community empowerment.

This kind of gathering to raise youth voices for human rights in Esan is a powerful example of what civil society’s next generation will look like.  Collaboration with universities and research institutions will be essential for youth to develop their organizing and human rights education skills.  The Khon Kaen University Law Center will need to do more to support students human rights work in local communities and CIEE has paved the way for this kind of “engaged education.”  The peoples’ movements of northeastern Thailand deserve equal space in a democratic system and will continue to raise their voices for justice and human rights.