Peace Walk for Justice and Human Rights Held in Bangkok

Peace Walk for Justice and Human Rights Held in Bangkok… Leaders of Thailand’s Five Major Religions Call for Fair Due Process for Elderly Pretrial Detainees

A Forum and Peace Walk for Justice and Human Rights was held on July 22 in Bangkok, Thailand, to encourage reflection on universal values, including human dignity, fundamental human rights, and fair judicial procedures, amid an environment where information and opinions spread rapidly and often shape public perception.

Religious leaders legal professionals, educators, and students gathered to discuss the significance of justice and human rights from diverse perspectives against the backdrop of growing international attention to due process and human rights.

Participants emphasized that the event was not intended to support any particular religion or individual. Rather, the discussions focused on the universal principles of human rights and due process that should apply equally to everyone.

As part of the discussions, participants examined the recent case of a 95-year-old religious leader in South Korea who was placed in pretrial detention on charges unrelated to violence. The case served as a point of discussion on the principles of the presumption of innocence, proportionality in pretrial detention, and humanitarian considerations for elderly defendants.

International human rights standards—including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the UN Nelson Mandela Rules—emphasize that pretrial detention should be used only when strictly necessary and that special humanitarian consideration should be given to elderly detainees and individuals with serious health conditions.

A highlight of the event was the joint statement issued by representatives of Thailand’s official interfaith network, which cooperates with the Religious Affairs Department of the Ministry of Culture, and religious leaders representing five major religions—Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism. In their statement, they reaffirmed the importance of human dignity, fundamental human rights, and fair judicial procedures. They also called for careful, humanitarian consideration and strict adherence to due process regarding the recent case involving the pretrial detention of an elderly individual in South Korea.

Throughout the forum, participants from the religious, legal, and educational sectors emphasized that justice and human rights are universal values that must be upheld by society as a whole. They also discussed the importance of international solidarity based on the universal principles of human dignity and fair procedures that transcend religion and nationality.

As part of the program, participants held a Peace Walk for Justice and Human Rights along Sukhumvit Road near Wat Tad Tong Temple in central Bangkok. During the walk, they conducted a public awareness campaign encouraging respect for human dignity and adherence to due process.