Phnom penh: Representatives of a total of 216 Confederations, Unions, Organisations, Associations, and Communities categorically condemned the severe violence and sexual abuse perpetrated against a Cambodian female migrant worker by the Thai Thahan Phran (known as the Black Army) forces along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, this act constitutes a grave violation of human rights, women’s rights, and the national rights of migrant workers, which are firmly protected by national laws, the Constitution, ASEAN instruments, international law, and the CEDAW Convention, read the Statement of Condemnation dated Nov. 17.

‘This cruel and unacceptable case of abuse is not only an inhumane act against the victim but also a breach of the humanitarian principles of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which aims to promote and ensure human rights in the region,’ it underlined. ‘Furthermore, we are deeply concerned about the culture of impunity and the lack of respect for women’s rights associated with the Thai Thahan Phran (Black Army), which poses a serious threat to the safety and rights of Cambodian female workers and other vulnerable migrant groups.’