Phnom penh: Cambodia has informed the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia that the continued obstruction of the return of more than 20,000 Cambodian displaced civilians by Thai military forces constitutes a grave violation of human rights and international law. The issue was raised by H.E. Keo Sothie, Vice Chairman of the Cambodia Human Rights Committee (CHRC), during a meeting with Mr. Thomas Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, at the Office of the Council of Ministers.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the meeting focused on the progress of the human rights situation in Cambodia and strengthening cooperation between Cambodia and the UN Special Rapporteur. H.E. Keo Sothie led an inter-ministerial delegation, including representatives from various ministries, to discuss these critical issues. He highlighted the Royal Government's efforts to improve livelihoods through the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1 and briefed the UN Special Rapporteur on the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict's impact, where over 640,000 Cambodians have been displaced.
Despite a ceasefire agreement reached on December 27, 2025, more than 20,000 displaced people have been unable to return home due to Thai military actions, including laying barbed wire and occupying Cambodian territory. H.E. Keo Sothie emphasized that these actions are serious human rights violations and reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to resolving the border issue peacefully through international law and the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission.
Mr. Thomas Andrews expressed concern over the human rights situation resulting from the border conflict and stated that he would visit the affected border areas to assess the situation firsthand. He also commended Cambodia for its international cooperation on human rights and efforts to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
The meeting also discussed establishing a national human rights institution, combating cyber scams, and protecting fundamental freedoms. H.E. Keo Sothie informed the UN Special Rapporteur about Cambodia's sponsorship of a draft resolution on the decriminalization of homosexuality and efforts to combat online scams through strengthened investigations and legal measures.