Academics, peace advocates call for border de-escalation, impartial investigation

[Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (2-R) and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (2-L) shake hands after signing a joint declaration for peace, witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) and US President Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit, ‌in Kuala Lumpur, on October 26. PMO]

-National-

A coalition of Southeast Asian academics, civil society leaders and peace advocates has issued an open statement calling on the governments of Thailand and Cambodia to immediately de-escalate rising border tensions and honour their diplomatic commitments.

The November 21 statement, received by The Post today, November 24, comes in response to recent security incidents that threaten to undermine the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord”, a joint declaration signed by the prime ministers of both Kingdoms just weeks ago, on October 26.

The coalition’s appeal outlined six key pillars that they believed are necessary to safeguard regional stability, placing primary emphasis on the strict implementation of the October accord.

They warned that the agreement is “not optional but a binding political obligation”, and urged both militaries to adhere to ceasefire mechanisms, proceed with humanitarian demining and relocate heavy weapons as promised.

“We believe peace is more than the absence of war. It requires justice, accountability and moral courage,” said the statement.

To ensure transparency, the group called for an independent inquiry into recent border skirmishes. They recommended that both nations, as parties to the Ottawa Convention, request an impartial fact-finding commission to investigate incidents. They also pressed the ASEAN chair and the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) to execute their mandates with greater professionalism, citing a need to correct recent lapses in public communication.

The signatories also highlighted the human cost of the conflict. They demanded that border communities be included in the negotiation processes and protected from displacement. They urged both countries to address the “information war”, and prevent hateful nationalist narratives and disinformation that fuels animosity.

Looking toward long-term reconciliation, the statement proposed a re-evaluation of history textbooks in both countries to dismantle prejudices passed down to younger generations.

“We stand at a crossroads”, it said.

“Conflicts come with heavy costs. Preventing tragedy is a shared responsibility,” it added.

-The Phnom Penh Post-