a manner that is integrated with efforts to realize the Sustainable Development Goals. Thailand’s latest national human rights plan expands its scope to explicitly cover such groups as sexual minorities and human rights defenders. It has also been active in addressing rights in the context of transnational corporations and other businesses, as well as in the case of detainees. To protect the rights of migrants, Thailand became party to the Forced Labour Convention and is amending its legislation accordingly. To help all countries translate international human rights standards into reality, technical cooperation, capacity-building, sharing of best practices, constructive engagement and education can bring about positive impact on the ground.

Right of Reply

The representative of Cuba, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said accusations by the United Statestestify to its manipulation of human rights issues against the developing world. The United States uses the Committee to launch attacks against countries of the South that do not comply with its whims. Yet, it is not in a position to give lessons about human rights, he stressed, citing violations in Guantanamo and the killing of persons of African descent. The United States should increase its ratification of international human rights treaties and denounce atrocities committed against the Palestinians. Further, it should lift its embargo which constitutes a flagrant violation of Cuba’s rights.

The representative of Syria said the United States has no right to lecture on international law and human rights, as it violates the international human rights instruments. Syria and the region suffered from United States actions