UN Expert: Human Rights Respect Key to Resolving Many Issues in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, July 31, 2026 – Cambodian civil society members, over 20,000 of whom are still displaced from the Cambodia-Thailand border region following two clashes between the neighboring Southeast Asian countries last year, have been urged to respect human rights as a key to resolving many of the country's issues. This was stated by a United Nations expert who concluded a visit to the disputed border area. Thomas Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, stated in a press release on July 31, 2026, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, that border conflicts with Thailand, online scamming crises, and upcoming elections all present serious human rights challenges, but also opportunities for Cambodia to demonstrate its commitment to human rights through concrete actions. "My first mission to Cambodia has left me deeply concerned: for the displaced persons along the border with Thailand, for those who have been victims of trafficking, and for those who are imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms," Andrews said in his initial statement to Cambodia at the end of his official visit. "I have been informed that over 100 people may be detained in prisons in Cambodia for exercising their freedoms of assembly or association," Andrews stated. "No one should be imprisoned for exercising their fundamental human rights. I raised the detention and situation of these individuals in my meetings with the government and received a commitment to work on reviewing these cases." The Special Rapporteur emphasized the need to open civic space and respect the rights of opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 and 2028 elections. He visited four prisons and met with detained activists, journalists, and members of opposition parties. Andrews thanked Cambodian officials for facilitating unrestricted access to prisons and border areas. He visited temporary settlements for those displaced by the conflict with Thailand and spoke with citizens unable to return to homes in towns and villages occupied by Thai military forces. "This is an issue of international law that persons displaced by armed conflict have the right to return to their homes. It is imperative that Cambodia and Thailand work together to expedite the return of these displaced civilians. They need and deserve to return home," Andrews said. Andrews linked discussions with the government to the ongoing online scamming operations in Cambodia. He acknowledged the government's efforts to crack down on criminal networks over the past year but also raised concerns about the lack of accountability for Cambodian officials involved in online scamming operations and the situation of trafficking victims released from these scam locations. Andrews expressed his commitment to supporting the Cambodian government in fulfilling its human rights obligations, including working together to implement recommendations supported by the government during its recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Areas for cooperation identified include legal reforms to align with human rights standards, the establishment of national human rights institutions, and progress towards achieving legal marital equality. "My first mission has given me hope for Cambodia's future, hope driven by my engagement with human rights defenders, journalists, principled political leaders, and Cambodian people committed to human rights. Cambodia's future depends on them," Andrews said. "I am deeply honored to serve as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia and look forward to working with everyone as I fulfill this important mandate." Source: CEN Cambodia