2009 Annual Report

Thailand

Campaign Committee for Human Rights (CCHR)
$50,000
To protect human rights defenders in Thailand, encourage Thai political parties to incorporate human rights into their platforms, and to advocate for more effective human rights policies. The Campaign Committee for Human Rights will focus on three main activities: the protection of human rights defenders throughout the country; monitoring of Thai government policies, legislation, and implementation of laws to ensure that they meet international human rights standards; and information campaigns that aim to engage Thai political parties on human rights issues.

Cross Cultural Foundation
$50,000
To support and strengthen a network of lawyers involved in the protection of human rights, particularly the rights of marginalized populations in Thailand, including migrant workers, indigenous communities, and stateless people. The organization will focus on four main areas: networking and capacity building; public information campaigns; legal advocacy; and strategic litigation.

Foundation for Community Educational Media (Prachatai)
$50,000
To provide the Thai public with a credible and respected source of independent news reporting and editorial commentary and to foster a higher level of public participation and community involvement in Thai political affairs. The Foundation for Community Educational Media will publish its online newspaper, Prachatai.com, a Thai- and English-language daily newspaper that covers politics, natural resources, energy, the environment, employment and labor issues, health, and southern Thailand.

People’s Empowerment Foundation
$60,000
To foster discussion on fundamental issues regarding democratic development in Thailand and to encourage greater public participation in Thai politics. The People’s Empowerment Foundation will conduct a series of online discussion forums, organize public seminars, and publish and distribute a handbook on democracy to educate Thai citizens about their rights and responsibilities.