Cambodia urges UN rights chief to act over Thai military abuses against civilians, calls for immediate international action

Cambodia urges UN rights chief to act over Thai military abuses against civilians, calls for immediate international action

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The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) has issued an urgent appeal to United Nations human rights mechanisms, calling for immediate international action over what it described as ongoing abuses by Thai armed forces against Cambodian civilians despite an agreed ceasefire.

In addition, a formal letter sent by Ambassador Dara In, Cambodia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, to Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, urging sustained attention to what Cambodia says are serious and continuing violations committed by Thai forces inside Cambodian territory under illegal occupation.

In a statement released on January 5, the CHRC reported that Thai armed forces have continued to carry out military attacks, aggressively demolish civilian homes and private property, and forcibly dismantle civil and cultural infrastructure, despite the ceasefire agreement signed at the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025.

The CHRC issued an urgent appeal to United Nations human rights mechanisms, calling for immediate international action over what it described as ongoing violations by Thai armed forces, including forced evictions, destruction of civilian homes and the continued displacement of Cambodian civilians despite the agreed ceasefire.

Ambassador Dara’s letter states that Thai military forces have continued to operate in Cambodian territory following commitments reached at the Special Meeting of the GBC. According to the communication, these actions have affected civilian communities and property.

“These actions have resulted in the burning and destruction of civilian homes; the dismantling of community, religious and cultural structures; and the appropriation, pillage and confiscation of civilian property indispensable to survival and livelihoods,” Ambassador Dara wrote.

The letter further stated that in several areas, Thai forces erected barbed wire and placed shipping containers to block access to villages, “effectively sealing off civilian communities, preventing civilians from returning to their homes and entrenching prolonged displacement.”

The ambassador said the incidents were documented in multiple locations, including Prey Chan village, Chouk Chey village and the Boeung Trakuon area in Banteay Meanchey province, as well as other affected areas in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey and Pursat provinces.

Cambodia argues that the conduct amounts to prohibited destruction of property and pillage under international humanitarian law, while also violating international human rights law, including the rights to adequate housing, property, family life and protection from arbitrary interference.

“International humanitarian law requires not only the protection of civilians and civilian objects during hostilities but also the restoration of normal civilian life following their suspension or cessation,” the letter said, adding that actions that prevent civilian return or perpetuate displacement are incompatible with these obligations.

The communication also cites Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and customary international law, stressing the prohibition on attacks against civilian objects and the destruction of property not justified by imperative military necessity.

In his appeal to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ambassador Dara requested that the Office urgently focus on the human rights implications of the situation, engage Thailand to reinforce its legal responsibilities, call for the immediate cessation of actions inconsistent with international law, and encourage remedial measures.

These measures include protection for displaced civilians, restitution or compensation where appropriate, accountability for violations and guarantees of non-repetition.

Cambodia remains committed to cooperation with the United Nations human rights system and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, while stressing the need for “principled, timely and sustained attention” to serious violations affecting civilian populations.

-Khmer Times-