Cambodia Tells UN Migrants Must Not Be Victims of Border Tensions

Cambodia Tells UN Migrants Must Not Be Victims of Border Tensions

GENEVA, June 23, 2026 – Cambodia has urged states to protect migrant workers from discrimination and violence, telling the United Nations Human Rights Council that migrants must not become victims of political tensions or interstate disputes.

Speaking during the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item 3, Cambodia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Ambassador Ke Sovann, reaffirmed Cambodia’s support for the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants and called on all states to uphold their human rights obligations toward migrants.

In Cambodia’s statement during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur, the ambassador expressed support for efforts to prevent discrimination, violence and other abuses against migrants regardless of their nationality.

He drew attention to recent tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border, saying Cambodian migrant workers had reportedly been subjected to xenophobia, hate speech, discriminatory treatment and acts of violence.

The ambassador stressed that migrant workers should never be targeted or discriminated against because of their nationality, nor become victims of political tensions or disputes between states.

He called on host countries to take all necessary measures to protect migrant workers in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The statement was delivered during the Human Rights Council’s interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants as member states discussed measures to strengthen protections for migrants worldwide.