The following message was sent by CancelOYW to One Young World on 4 October 2015.
We are still waiting for a reply.
Dear One Young World
It has come to our notice that the following email was sent to you on 20th September. To date there has been no responce. We would like to repeat the request for an answer and add the following to Question 4: “What steps are One Young World prepared to take to monitor and ensure the safety of any delegates from Thailand exercising their freedom of speech at the summit once OYW has departed Thailand?”
Dear One Young World
You will be aware that there is great dissent over your choice of Bangkok as host for your 2015 summit, given the nature of the military-controlled political system in Thailand.
We have read your founders’ statement with some interest and, in order to help allay the aforementioned fears, we would respectfully request that you consider the following questions. These questions arise from sections of your founders’ statement which are quoted.
Your answers to these questions will be gratefully received and shared with the Thai public.
With thanks
One Young World Founders’ Statement:
“There are few countries in Southeast Asia, or across Asia as a whole, that we could say fully reflect the liberal democratic political traditions of Western Europe. But that is not a factor in our choice of host city.”
1) OYW statement:
“We could have staged One Young World in Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar or any other Asian country that would allow our delegates and Counsellors to speak and engage on critical global issues affecting today and the world of tomorrow.”
In your view, which countries in Southeast Asia, or across Asia as a whole, do fully reflect the liberal democratic political traditions of Western Europe?
2) OYW statement:
“We could expect any of these Southeast Asian countries to have their political system of governance challenged by those who would prefer to see an alternative system of government in the host city’s country.”
Are you saying Myanmar, for example, would allow your delegates to speak freely on the issue of the Rohingya?
3) OYW statement:
“We have been guaranteed freedom of speech during the Summit, which is something not all host cities would be able to provide. Moreover, One Young World has turned down bids from cities that have not been able to provide this guarantee.”
Does this mean OYW is expecting, accepting and planning to give summit participants opportunity for commentary and dissent to the seizure of power by Thailand’s military?
4) Who has guaranteed One Young World’s freedom of speech in Bangkok? What did they say?
5) Which cities are unable to provide this guarantee with the result that their bids have been turned down by OYW?
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