CHRC urges Thailand to immediately bring Thai soldiers perpetrators to justice

Thai armed forces personnel patrol a forested border area. Social media

The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) has issued a forceful condemnation after a Cambodian female migrant worker was allegedly gang-raped by seven Thai soldiers, describing the assault as a “grave crime” and a blatant violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.

According to the CHRC statement released today, November 18, the 18-year-old victim was attacked on the night of 15 November while returning home from Thailand.

The committee said the crime reflects a broader pattern of abuse committed by Thai armed forces against Cambodian civilians amid ongoing tensions along the border.

“The CHRC condemns this abhorrent act in the strongest possible terms,” the statement declared, adding that sexual violence is “a serious violation of human rights that must be severely punished”.

The committee accused Thai forces of carrying out repeated acts of cruelty against Cambodian citizens, including unprovoked attacks, bombings, intimidation of migrant workers, seizure of property through barbed-wire installations and psychological warfare targeting vulnerable groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and the unwell.

The CHRC also highlighted that eighteen Cambodian soldiers remain in Thai military custody, 112 days after their capture, despite commitments made under the Joint Declaration, signed on October 26.

The issue escalated further on November 12, when Thai soldiers allegedly launched an unprovoked nighttime attack on Cambodian civilians, resulting in deaths, injuries and the displacement of hundreds of families.

Amid rising public anger, the CHRC underscored that Prime Minister Hun Manet has consistently instructed Cambodians not to retaliate against Thai nationals, including businesspeople or inmates held in Cambodian prisons.

Demands for accountability

The CHRC urged Thai authorities to immediately prosecute the alleged perpetrators, in line with both domestic and international law. It also urged Thailand to provide justice and adequate reparations to the victim.

“The CHRC urgently calls on the competent Thai authorities to immediately bring the perpetrators to justice… Failure to act swiftly and deliver justice would expose Thailand as a state that undermines the rule of law and shields perpetrators from accountability,” the statement warned.

The committee further appealed to the international community to pressure Thailand to meet its obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law.

Cambodia reaffirms Its position

Despite escalating tensions, the CHRC reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to international law and “mutual respect between nations.”

The reported assault on the young woman has intensified public outrage, with rights advocates demanding transparent investigations and strong international oversight to ensure the case does not disappear into silence.

As the situation at the border continues to deteriorate, Cambodian officials insist that accountability — particularly for sexual violence and attacks on civilians — must be non-negotiable.

-The Phnom Penh Post-