UN Rapporteur Stands by Civilian Displacement Concerns, Calls for Peaceful Border Settlement
UN Rapporteur Stands by Civilian Displacement Concerns, Calls for Peaceful Border Settlement
PHNOM PENH, 7 August 2026 — United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Thomas Andrews has reaffirmed his willingness to engage with the Thai government over its concerns regarding his recent comments on the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, while stressing the urgent need for a peaceful resolution that allows displaced civilians to return home.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Thursday, Andrews said he welcomed feedback from all parties, including the Thai government, following a news conference marking the conclusion of his recent fact-finding mission to Cambodia.
He revealed that he had shared an advance draft of the section of his statement concerning the border conflict with the Thai government two days before it was made public, including passages relating to the displacement of Cambodian civilians. However, he said he did not receive a response.
“I remain open and eager to discuss the Thai government’s perspective,” Andrews said.
The Special Rapporteur also addressed public criticism from Thai officials over his reference to approximately 650,000 Cambodians displaced by the conflict. He said the figure was drawn from United Nations reports and emphasized that his concern was based on human rights principles rather than competing territorial claims.
“While noting Thailand’s perspective, the figure was drawn from UN reports and my reference to those displaced is based on human rights concerns which apply regardless of conflicting territorial claims,” he said.
Andrews said he will submit his next report on the human rights situation in Cambodia to the UN Human Rights Council next month and plans to again seek input from the Thai government before finalizing the report.
“I hope that I will be able to engage with Thai officials so that I might learn their perspective before my report is published,” he said.
The Special Rapporteur stressed that resolving the border conflict swiftly and peacefully is essential to enable displaced people to return to their homes, restore normal living conditions, and benefit from economic opportunities generated by cross-border trade.
He also welcomed Thailand’s public commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, describing it as common ground that should serve as the basis for constructive dialogue.
Andrews concluded by reiterating his readiness to work with both the Cambodian and Thai governments to address the human rights challenges arising from the conflict, particularly the displacement of civilians.
“Because whether one is Thai or Cambodian, human rights matter,” he said.
