ASEAN Observers Visit Border Area Amidst Thai Blockade of Cambodian Residents

An ASEAN observers' mission (AOT) revisited the Ben Tukun border area in Krol Koemiet commune, Thma Pouk district, Banteay Meanchey province, on August 4th to observe, verify, and report on the border situation. This visit occurred nine days after the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Mr. Thomas Andrews, inspected the area on July 27th and witnessed firsthand the Thai military's obstruction of Cambodian residents from returning to their homes using shipping containers and barbed wire. According to local authorities, since the second round of conflict erupted in December until now, 1,870 Cambodian civilian families, totaling 8,790 people including 1,980 children, have been displaced in the Ben Tukun area and are unable to return to their residences. This situation is attributed to the illegal occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai military forces, who have erected barbed wire fences, deployed shipping containers, destroyed Cambodian citizens' homes, and altered the de facto situation on the ground. The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia emphasized that the observation and reporting by the ASEAN observers in the Ben Tukun area underscore the absolute necessity of commencing border demarcation work as soon as possible, in accordance with existing agreements. This is crucial to ensure that innocent Cambodian citizens can safely and with dignity return to their homes without obstruction. The Ministry reiterated Cambodia's firm stance in defending the Cambodian-Thai international border established by the Indochina-Siam Border Commission. Cambodia respects international law, the principle of immutable borders, the French-Siam treaties, maps created by the Indochina-Siam Border Commission, and all related agreements and documents that have been previously consented to. The Royal Government of Cambodia has repeatedly affirmed that Cambodia absolutely does not recognize any border changes resulting from the use of force or illegal occupation through the establishment of fait accompli. It continues to lodge official protests with the Thai side regarding any unilateral actions that violate Cambodia's legal territorial integrity. It is recalled that after meeting with displaced persons and visiting the Ben Tukun area, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia stated that under international law, refugees displaced by armed conflict have the right to return to their homes. The ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia clearly stipulates that civilians must be allowed to return to their homes and livelihoods safely and without hindrance. The human rights rapporteur emphasized the urgent need for Thailand and Cambodia to work together to expedite the return of displaced Cambodian citizens. All displaced persons need and deserve to return to their homes. The Special Rapporteur highlighted that the swift and peaceful resolution of the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is of paramount importance for people to return to their homes and live in a stable and secure environment, enabling them to seize economic opportunities from cross-border trade.