Justice and Non-Recurrence Must Be Assured for Cambodian Migrant Workers
[The cover of The Hijab of Cambodia: Memories of Cham Muslim Women after the Khmer Rouge. DC-Cam archives]
-Opinion-
On November 16, a group of 13 Cambodian migrant workers who were returning to Cambodia through Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, adjacent to Kamrieng district, Battambang province, allegedly suffered severe violence including beating, kicking, striking with rifle butts, intimidation, and extortion, at the hands of Thai soldiers in black uniforms.
Most shockingly, sexual violence was committed against a female worker, when seven Thai soldiers reportedly committed a terrible gang rape. These acts constitute crimes under national and international laws and conventions. Denial of such crimes against the migrant workers is a crime itself, and should be severely punished.
Thailand and all relevant national and international institutions must conduct a thorough investigation into the case and the perpetrators must be held accountable for their violent and criminal acts so justice can be delivered to the survivors.
Moving forward, protective measures and sufficient intervention by national and international institutions, like the ILO, IOM, UN Women, CEDAW, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other Human Rights organisations should be put in place to protect other Cambodians working in Thailand and those who have returned to their homeland.
The results of these investigations must be publicly released, so there are no more questions surrounding the case.
We must put an end the culture of bullying and abuse by Thai soldiers against Cambodian migrant workers and people. All humankind must be treated equally and with dignity, regardless of gender, age, social status, ethnicity, nationality and religion.
Failure to find justice for the victims and to prevent this from recurring will fuel further tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.
Farina So, is the author of The Hijab of Cambodia: Memories of Cham Muslim Women after the Khmer Rouge. The views and opinions expressed are her own.
-The Phnom Penh Post-
