Cambodia Thanks UN Special Rapporteur for Highlighting Human Rights Impact of Border Conflict with Thailand

Terry Felix On October 3, 2026 - 3:44 am In Politics 2mn Read

GENEVA, Oct. 3, 2026 — Cambodia has expressed appreciation to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia for highlighting the human-rights consequences of the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict.

The issue was raised on October 2 during the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where Cambodian Ambassador and Permanent Representative Ke Sovann delivered Cambodia’s statement under Agenda Item 10, concerning the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia.

Ambassador Ke took note of the Special Rapporteur’s report and praised what Cambodia described as constructive cooperation during the rapporteur’s first official visit to the country. He reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to open dialogue, continued cooperation and a balanced assessment of both human-rights challenges and progress.

Cambodia placed particular emphasis on the Special Rapporteur’s attention to the human-rights consequences of the border conflict with Thailand.

According to the Cambodian statement, more than 20,000 Cambodian citizens remain unable to return to their homes in what Cambodia describes as Cambodian territory because of the continued presence of Thai armed forces.

Cambodia said it supported the Special Rapporteur’s call for the safe and dignified return of displaced Cambodians in accordance with international law. It also called for the full and good-faith implementation of the December 27, 2025 Joint Statement.

The UN human-rights system has separately documented concerns regarding large-scale displacement and the humanitarian and human-rights situation of civilians affected by the 2025 Cambodia–Thailand border conflict.

Cambodia Rejects Thai Statements

During the session, Cambodia also rejected statements attributed to Thailand concerning the situation, describing them as misleading and false.

Cambodia maintained that people who remain displaced were forced to leave their homes following attacks by Thai armed forces in 2025. It further alleged that the continued presence of Thai armed forces in areas Cambodia considers its territory violates the UN Charter, international law and bilateral agreements.

These assertions reflect Cambodia’s position on the disputed border situation and remain contested by Thailand.

Cambodia Highlights Fight Against Call-Centre Scams

Beyond the border issue, Ambassador Ke also highlighted Cambodia’s efforts to combat technology-facilitated fraud and other transnational crimes.

Cambodia stressed that transnational criminal activities require coordinated international action and cooperation. It pointed to strengthened law-enforcement measures and an international conference on combating technology-facilitated fraud held in Phnom Penh on September 23–24, 2026.

The conference adopted the “Phnom Penh Declaration,” aimed at strengthening international cooperation, disrupting transnational criminal networks and protecting victims, according to the Cambodian statement.

Cambodia also reaffirmed its stated commitments to civil society, political participation, a multiparty system and liberal multiparty democracy, while highlighting efforts to strengthen protection and inclusion for women, children, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ groups and Indigenous communities.

The Cambodian delegation said it would continue engaging with UN human-rights mechanisms and maintaining dialogue on the country’s human-rights situation.