Cambodia Reminds UN Envoy of Need for Neutrality in Assessing Border Tensions

Cambodia Reminds UN Envoy of Need for Neutrality in Assessing Border Tensions

Geneva 29 November 2025 — The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva has issued a formal statement recalling to Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia — who is a Thai national — the essential obligation to conduct his mandate with full independence and without bias.

This reminder follows recent remarks made by the Special Rapporteur expressing support for peace efforts between Cambodia and Thailand, while failing to acknowledge serious human rights violations committed by Thai armed forces against Cambodian civilians along the shared border.

According to the statement, Cambodia reaffirmed its concern that Professor Muntarbhorn’s public communication focused solely on backing ongoing peace and confidence-building measures between the two countries, without addressing the critical humanitarian and human rights issues arising from the current armed confrontation along the border.

Cambodia’s Permanent Mission urged the Special Rapporteur to strictly adhere to the core principles of independence, impartiality, professionalism, and due diligence — as stipulated in the Code of Conduct governing mandate-holders within the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures.

It is noted that on 25 November 2025 (Cambodia time), Professor Muntarbhorn issued a statement endorsing the peace agreement and mutual confidence-building initiatives between Cambodia and Thailand. His remarks followed a strong appeal by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, condemning continued Thai military actions against Cambodian civilians — actions which constitute grave violations of human rights.

According to Professor Muntarbhorn’s public message, the Cambodia–Thailand peace initiative represents a restoration of mutual trust between the two nations, and civilians impacted by the ongoing situation at the border must receive assistance in accordance with international human rights standards.