AKP Phnom Penh, September 18, 2025 --

The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) this morning issued a statement on the recent provocative actions by the Thai side, stressing that “the use of violence by Thai military forces against Cambodian civilians constitutes a grave violation of human rights.”

In the statement, the CHRC expressed its profound concern and strongest condemnation of the acts committed by Thai Paramilitary Forces and Border Patrol Forces, who on Sept. 17, 2025 deployed barbed wires, launched tear gas, and slingshot against Cambodian civilians at Prey Chan village, O’ Beichoan commune, O’ Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, causing injuries to Cambodian citizens, including Buddhist monks.

These provocative acts constitute a grave violation of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, the Ceasefire Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand of July 28, 2025, the 13-point Agreed Minutes of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting of Aug. 7, 2025, and the 1st Special Meeting of the General Border Affairs Committee of Sept. 10, 2025, read the statement, underlining that the unlawful acts of the Thai Armed Forces have caused serious infringements upon the rights and fundamental freedoms of Cambodian people, which are protected under the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, international humanitarian law, and most importantly, international human rights law, to which Thailand is a State Party.

“Cambodia has consistently and firmly adhered to the peaceful resolution of disputes and diplomatic mechanisms. As a member of the United Nations, Cambodia has always believed that dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to international law constitute the most effective means of safeguarding stability, security, and development,” CHRC emphasised. 

CHRC urgently demanded the Royal Government and Armed Forces of Thailand to immediately cease all acts violating Cambodia’s sovereignty and the rights and freedoms of the Cambodian people, and to strictly comply with their obligations under international and regional law. The Committee further called for a peaceful settlement of this issue through diplomatic mechanisms and relevant regional and international instruments, in line with the spirit of the ASEAN Charter and the United Nations Charter.

At the same time, the CHRC appealed to the international community to intervene and urge Thailand to respect regional and international law, and to support the immediate and unconditional release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers currently detained by the Thai military.

By C. Nika