Cambodia Flags Thai Military's Obstruction of Displaced Civilians' Return as Grave Human Rights Violation to UN

Cambodia has informed the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia that the continued obstruction of the return of more than 20,000 Cambodian displaced civilians by Thai military forces constitutes a grave violation of human rights and international law. The issue was raised by H.E. Keo Sothie, Vice Chairman of the Cambodia Human Rights Committee (CHRC), during a meeting with Mr. Thomas Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, on Thursday at the Office of the Council of Ministers. Representing H.E. Keo Remy, Senior Minister and Chairman of the CHRC, H.E. Keo Sothie led an inter-ministerial delegation comprising representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Justice, Women's Affairs, Labour and Vocational Training, and Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation. According to a CHRC press release, the meeting focused on the progress of the human rights situation in Cambodia and strengthening cooperation between Cambodia and the UN Special Rapporteur. During the meeting, H.E. Keo Sothie highlighted the Royal Government's efforts to improve people's livelihoods through the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1, including a vocational training programme for 1.5 million young people from poor and vulnerable families, aimed at supporting Cambodia's goals of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050. He also outlined the CHRC's role in promoting and protecting human rights through complaint-handling mechanisms, human rights education, and reporting under international human rights treaties. H.E. Keo Sothie further briefed the UN Special Rapporteur on the impact of the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, noting that more than 640,000 Cambodians had been displaced. Although a ceasefire agreement was reached on Dec. 27, 2025, more than 20,000 displaced people remain unable to return home because Thai military forces have laid barbed wire, placed shipping containers, destroyed civilian homes, and continue the unlawful occupation of Cambodian territory. He stressed that these actions constitute serious human rights violations and represent an attempt to create a fait accompli on the ground. The Cambodian official reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to resolving the border issue peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly through the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). For his part, Mr. Thomas Andrews thanked the Cambodian side for the meeting and expressed concern over the human rights situation resulting from the border conflict. He said he would visit the affected border areas to assess the situation of displaced civilians firsthand. Mr. Andrews also commended Cambodia for its international cooperation on human rights, particularly its acceptance of more than 84 percent of the recommendations received during the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), as well as its efforts to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people. The meeting also discussed the establishment of a national human rights institution, measures to combat cyber scams, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. In response, H.E. Keo Sothie informed the UN Special Rapporteur that Cambodia has joined France in sponsoring the draft resolution entitled "Towards Universal Decriminalisation of Homosexuality," which is expected to be considered during the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. He also noted that the draft law on the establishment of a national human rights institution has already been submitted to the Office of the Council of Ministers. Regarding cybercrime, he highlighted the Royal Government's ongoing efforts to combat online scams through the implementation of the Law on Combating Cyber Scams, along with strengthened investigations and crackdowns on suspected scam operations and perpetrators. By C. Nika