Cambodian Human Rights Committee, UN Human Rights Office Strengthen Cooperation

Cambodian Human Rights Committee, UN Human Rights Office Strengthen Cooperation

Phnom Penh, July 08, 2026 —

The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on human rights following a meeting between CHRC President H.E. Keo Remy and OHCHR Country Representative Ms. Matilda Bogner on July 7 in Phnom Penh.

During the meeting, H.E. Keo Remy thanked OHCHR for its continued constructive cooperation and highlighted Cambodia’s co-sponsorship with France of a draft resolution on the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality, which is expected to be considered during the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The CHRC president also briefed the OHCHR representative on Cambodia’s concerns over alleged human rights and international humanitarian law violations related to the Cambodia-Thailand border situation. These included reported discrimination and violence against Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand; an alleged sexual assault against a Cambodian migrant worker by Thai soldiers; indiscriminate attacks deep into Cambodian territory using heavy weapons, cluster bombs, toxic smoke, and F-16 Gripen and T-50 fighter jets, causing damage to private and public property, including the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear Temple, and displacing over 640,000 people; attempts to create a fait accompli by destroying civilian homes and building new infrastructure in the unlawfully occupied areas and stealing property from Cambodian citizens by Thai soldier; as well as the continued presence of more than 20,000 displaced persons who have yet to return home despite the ceasefire agreement on Dec. 27, 2025.

Ms. Bogner welcomed Cambodia’s continued efforts to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people and its consideration of ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which aims to abolish the death penalty. She also noted that OHCHR has closely monitored the border situation and conducted field visits to meet displaced Cambodian families and assess their living conditions.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued cooperation on human rights, while H.E. Keo Remy expressed appreciation for OHCHR’s attention to and support for displaced Cambodians affected by the border situation. -AKP-

By C. Nika