Learn About Civil and Political Rights Playfully
Learn About Civil and Political Rights Playfully
Is it fair for a government to prevent its citizens to re-enter the country in times of a global pandemic? Do authorities need to inform relatives where suspects are detained? May the police collect genetic information of citizens who live close to the border?
Questions like this are part of a digital quiz on a new website that was developed by the Thailand office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) in cooperation with the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT). The site was launched on 1 September 2022, to celebrate the 23rd year of establishment of the Commission. Both organizations will use the tool as a crucial part of their education strategy.
The FNF Thailand office has a long history of raising awareness among young people of human rights. The team uses innovative approaches, such as self-developed card games or role plays. With its new website – a leaner microsite – it now also has a digital tool to raise awareness of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in particular. This is a multilateral treaty that commits states’ parties to respect individual freedoms, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial.
The microsite is divided into two parts. Firstly, it provides general information on the ICCPR and how citizens can use it to make sure their rights are protected. Secondly, it hosts a quiz based on 30 realistic scenarios to test the knowledge and perspectives of players. After having provided their own answers, participants and educators see how others have fared on average in terms of responses. This allows trainers to facilitate discussions and identify knowledge deficits and misunderstandings of political and civil rights.
Thailand is a state party to the ICCPR. However, civil society organizations as well as the United Nations regularly push for better protection of the committed rights and freedoms. FNF Thailand and the Human Rights Commission are convinced that the microsite will encourage Thailand's politicians to improve the implementation of the ICCPR by increasing public awareness of human rights.
Human rights education