Thailand Rejects UN Cambodia Human Rights Report, Citing Imbalance

Thailand has expressed deep disappointment with a recent United Nations report on Cambodia's human rights situation, stating it exceeded its mandate and lacked balance by criticizing Thailand. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow conveyed these concerns in a letter sent on Friday to Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, regarding an End of Mission Statement issued by Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. Mr Sihasak acknowledged that the statement forms part of the Special Procedures' working methods but questioned its credibility and accountability due to allegations against Thailand, despite the mandate focusing on human rights in Cambodia. Thailand also objected to what it described as insufficient opportunity to provide facts and perspectives before publication. According to Mr Sihasak, the statement contained distorted information that had not been adequately verified and was inconsistent with the Human Rights Council's Code of Conduct for Special Procedures mandate holders. Thailand stated it had repeatedly provided information to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticized Mr Andrews for failing to reflect Thailand's account of the conflict. Thailand disputed figures cited in the statement, including estimates of 650,000 internally displaced Cambodians and 900,000 Cambodian migrant workers returning from Thailand. The ministry pointed out that some individuals counted as displaced had remained in areas of Thai territory where they had received humanitarian assistance. Source: Bangkok Post