On 30 August 2023, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously attended the Tenth Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Lecture on International Humanitarian Law on the topic of “The Prevention of Arbitrary Displacement and the Protection of the Human Rights of Those Displaced by Armed Conflict” at Vithes Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On this occasion, Ms. Cecilia Jimenez-Damary (Filipina), international human rights and humanitarian laws lawyer with specialisation in forced displacement and migration, and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, gave the lecture. This event was co-organised by Thai Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with support from International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Tej Bunnag, Secretary General of Thai Red Cross Society, remarked about the background and purpose of the lecture, which is one of Thai Red Cross Society’s missions as a member of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to promote and propagate International Humanitarian Law awareness to the public. The Lecture has been held every 2 years since 2003 and this year commemorate the 20th anniversary of this event. The lecture was well received by over 300 attendees from government agencies, embassies, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations, including scholars and students from several academic institutes.
The keynote speaker gave a lecture on the situation and challenges in providing assistance and protection of internally displaced persons. At the end of 2022, the number of internally displaced persons around the world increased dramatically to 62.5 million due to armed conflict, which was made more severe by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. She also pointed out that every internally displaced persons has the rights to be protected under Human Rights Laws and International Humanitarian Law.
