Brief

As part of its international mandate, the European Union (EU) in Thailand wanted to discuss the abolition of the death penalty as a core value of the EU membership and of many modern and prosperous societies.

Solution

As EU and Asian legal practices and opinions differ on this issue, finding the right approach to discuss this was key. The team conducted research and context analysis to create a peer-to-peer event for EU and Thai lawmakers and law students, grounded on policy and knowledge exchange rather than contradictory positions.

Outcome

From choice of venue to invitations, curating a privileged setting to discuss and share expertise and experiences was sought as the approach for a respectful discussion to take place based on facts and legal knowledge, rather than subjective opinions.

A Judge from the International Commission against the Death Penalty delivered the keynote speech and master class and led the panel discussion, allowing experts and 100 EU and Thai lawmakers, Thai law faculty students, diplomatic corp and international organisations - to understand existing legal provisions towards the abolition of the death penalty.

The event was key to sharing the values of the EU and Thailand as partners in the promotion of human rights.