Cambodia Defends UN Human Rights Envoy Amid Thai Rejection of Refugee Report

Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement defending UN Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews regarding his report that approximately 650,000 Cambodian citizens were displaced due to Thai military incursions. While the Thai government has objected to this report, Cambodia maintains that the figures align with on-site verification by UN agencies and humanitarian partners. Andrews presented this report in his mission-ending statement following his first visit to Cambodia from July 20 to 31, 2026, during which he directly inspected refugee camps and border areas. The report indicated that around 650,000 Cambodian civilians had taken refuge in border areas by the end of last year, with over 20,000 still displaced. Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson emphasized that despite objections from Thai authorities to these figures, the reports confirm that a significant number of Cambodian civilians have indeed been displaced and are unable to return to their homes due to illegal occupation of Cambodian territory by Thailand. Regarding the right to return home, the spokesperson reiterated Cambodia's firm commitment to the joint declaration made on December 27, 2025. In this declaration, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to facilitate the prompt return of affected civilians in border areas to their homes and livelihoods, ensuring it is done without delay, safely, and with dignity. Cambodia once again strongly urged the immediate, full, and effective implementation of this agreement through existing bilateral mechanisms, particularly the swift resumption of border demarcation and boundary marker work by the Joint Border Commission (JBC). This would enable all displaced persons to return to their homes. According to the spokesperson, Cambodia will continue to cooperate with the UN Human Rights Council on all issues raised by the Special Rapporteur and looks forward to constructive and comprehensive discussions on the situation during the Council's upcoming session.