Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak is the new Executive Director of TIJ

TIJ Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak to be the new Executive Director of TIJ, effective as of 25th February 2015.

Dr. Kittipong has a long-established career in Thailand’s criminal justice system having served as the Permanent Secretary for Justice from 2008-2014. He is known as one of the champions for the reform of the Thai criminal justice towards due process, the rule of law, and for pioneering the implementation of restorative justice programs in Thailand. His achievements as a high-caliber official and academic is widely recognized domestically and internationally. During his tenure Dr. Kittipong plans for TIJ to become a member of United Nations Programme Network of Institutes (PNIs) within the next two years.

Level-up TIJ to become United Nations’ PNI

The United Nations’ Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network Institutes (PNIs) consists of academic institutes and international organisations that work together to strengthen international cooperation in the crucial area of crime prevention and criminal justice at the global, regional and sub-regional levels. It provides a variety of services including exchange of information research, training and specialized education. PNI’s are also responsible for organising activities to boost the potential of staff working in justice processes. TIJ therefore has set a goal to be the first Thai organisation to join this international network of institutes.

Dr. Kittipong stated that “Joining the PNI network will give TIJ an opportunity to play an active role in influencing global policy in the fields of crime prevention and criminal justice. This will strengthen Thailand’s image and the country will gain wider acceptance when voicing opinions and proposing new ideas in relation to the development of international justice system. Currently, no organization in Southeast Asia is a PNI.”

In order to increase TIJ’s profile, Dr. Kittipong will focus on academic excellence in two areas; first is to promote and support the domestic and international implementation of United Nations standards and norms that guide the development of criminal justice system and the right-based treatment of women and children, with a special focus on the UN standard minimum rules on the treatment of female inmates or “the Bangkok Rules” which is TIJ’s signature product. Another area is to promote public trust in the justice system by strengthening the effectiveness and transparency through Rule of Law, and to promote the incorporation of the rule of law and justice as part of “Post-2015 development agenda”. Because Sustainable development cannot be achieved without peace, security, and an effective justice system where people’s rights are not violated, victimized, abused and forced to live in an unsafe environment.