Phnom penh: Cambodia has urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to prioritize international law over the use of force, calling for decisive action to defend peace, sovereignty, and human dignity. This appeal comes in the wake of reported harms to civilians due to ongoing border tensions with Thailand.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Ambassador Dara In, Permanent Representative of Cambodia, addressed the issue during the 61st session of the Human Rights Council's general debate under Item 2. He expressed gratitude to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for the update and underscored the importance of upholding international law, especially during challenging times when adherence can be inconvenient and demanding.

Ambassador Dara In highlighted that peace and security are fundamental to the UN Charter and essential for the protection of human rights. He warned that the collapse of peace can silence the law and turn rights into empty promises. He criticized what he termed as an inversion of principles, where international law is viewed as optional, peace as negotiable, and force as a convenient tool.

He further elaborated on the situation, pointing out that since mid-May 2025, Thai armed forces have been conducting operations across several border sectors, causing significant harm to civilian communities and resulting in territorial encroachments within Cambodia. The reported consequences include civilian casualties, destruction of homes and infrastructure, forced evictions, and large-scale displacement. The presence of barriers such as barbed wire and shipping containers has further restricted access to homes and villages, prolonging civilian suffering.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Dara In called on the Council to prioritize law over force and to act decisively. He emphasized that only by respecting sovereignty, ensuring accountability, and engaging in principled multilateral action can human dignity be protected and peace sustained.