Experts reject Thai criticism of UN rapporteur’s border report

PHOTO - UN Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews holds a news conference at Himawari Hotel in Phnom Penh on July 31. KT/Chor Sokunthea

Synopsis: Analysts and officials defend UN human rights envoy’s findings on displaced Cambodians, accusing Thailand of dismissing human rights concerns while calling for international scrutiny of the border conflict.

Experts have criticised the Thai foreign affairs minister for labelling a United Nations rapporteur’s report on human rights – particularly parts detailing the suffering of displaced people – as “unbalanced”, saying the claim shows Thailand is abusing Cambodia and its citizens.

On July 31, Thomas Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia, presented his report after concluding a 10-day visit to the Kingdom. He highlighted the humanitarian impact of the border conflict after visiting displacement sites and affected communities in Banteay Meanchey province.

Andrews said about 20,000 of the 650,000 Cambodians evacuated during last year’s conflict remain displaced, with families reporting the loss of homes, jobs and livelihoods. He observed damaged properties, destroyed businesses and unexploded ordnance near the border, calling on Cambodia and Thailand to ensure the safe return of displaced civilians in line with international law and the December 27, 2025, ceasefire agreement.

In an August 1 statement, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Andrews’ claims, saying the border conflict was triggered by Cambodian attacks on Thai civilian areas and disputing the figure of 650,000 internally displaced people (IDP).

It said a portion of that figure were Cambodians residing in areas Thailand had opened up as temporary shelters in the late 1970s as part of humanitarian assistance.

“However, following improvements to their situation, these individuals did not return to Cambodia despite repeated protests formally lodged by the Thai side with the Cambodian side,” it said.

“Therefore, they constitute individuals who had encroached on Thai territory and do not fall within the definition of an IDP.”

It said Cambodia must ensure protection and services for affected citizens, adding that the return of 900,000 Cambodian workers included legal and illegal workers who left voluntarily, rather than through expulsion.

Thailand called on UN human rights mechanisms to maintain independence, impartiality and objectivity by considering information from all sides.

“Thailand is of the view that the special procedures under the United Nations Human Rights Council should uphold the principles of independence, impartiality and objectivity while taking into consideration information from credible and verifiable sources, as well as facts and perspectives from all sides in a comprehensive and fair manner,” the statement said.

“This is essential to ensuring that human rights assessments are balanced and consistent with the mandates of the Special Procedures.”

Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam), said independent international monitoring and fact-finding missions are needed to clarify the border conflict. He said Thailand is attempting to prevent the international community from learning about its responsibility for starting and prolonging the conflict.

“Thailand will stop at nothing to prevent the international community from becoming informed of its culpability in the conflict, both in terms of its beginning and its continuation,” Youk said.

The evidence of its actions is growing, and the international community will hold it accountable, he added.

“The real question is how long Thailand can continue to fight against evidence of its illegal military occupation of Cambodian territory and the impacts of its military actions on innocent civilians in Thailand and Cambodia,” Youk said.

Chheng Kimlong, president of the Asian Vision Institute, said the Thai Foreign Minister’s rejection of the remarks made by the UN Special Rapporteur is a dismissal without proper responsibility.

He said it demonstrates Thailand’s intention to violate international law and to occupy Cambodia’s sovereign territory.

“This represents an official position from the leader of a country – the foreign minister of Thailand – confirming Thailand’s stance of violating and occupying sovereign territory that was seized through an aggressive war in 2025,” Kimlong said.

“It also shows that Thailand is a country that disregards international law.”

Kimlong added that the Thai foreign minister showed no respect for senior human rights officials.

“Disregarding human rights officials is equivalent to disregarding human rights and human dignity, especially for vulnerable groups affected and displaced by war,” he said.

“This also indicates that Thailand does not respect international conventions, treaties, or international law.”

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior thanked Andrews for acknowledging the hardships faced by more than 650,000 displaced Cambodian citizens, which it said were caused by acts of aggression and human rights violations committed by Thai forces.

“The ministry particularly appreciates his remarks on the situation of more than 20,000 people who have yet to return to their homes because Thai forces have destroyed their houses and occupied their lands and villages after the ceasefire came into effect,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.

“The Special Rapporteur also highlighted that, in addition to the displacement crisis, economic and social impacts are emerging. People staying at temporary shelters have lost jobs and property while facing difficulties in earning livelihoods and supporting their families.”

-Khmer Times-