AKP Phnom Penh, January 21, 2026 --

The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) and the United Nations’ human rights body have agreed to a five-point priority framework for 2026, aimed at strengthening the country’s domestic rights protections and international compliance.

The agreement was reached during a meeting here on Wednesday between H.E. Keo Remy, Senior Minister and President of the CHRC, and Mr. Benjamin Moreau, Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia.

According to a CHRC statement, the 2026 cooperation will focus on Implementing recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Raising public awareness regarding the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), Distributing human rights-related educational materials and documentation, Enhancing capacity building for government officials, and Maintaining ongoing dialogue on specific human rights cases.

H.E. Senior Minister Keo Remy highlighted that the meeting served to review milestones achieved in 2025 – including training for civil servants and volunteer lawyers – while expanding the scope of collaboration for the coming year.

During the talks, he raised a formal concern regarding reports of Thai military invading activities at border areas. He underlined that Cambodian homes had been destroyed and access blocked by shipping containers and barbed wire, preventing residents from returning to their communities.

The CHRC head called on the OHCHR to monitor the situation through international human rights mechanisms, characterising the actions as violations of the rights to freedom of movement, adequate housing, and property ownership.

"We urge the OHCHR to engage with relevant parties and advocate for the respect of international law to ensure Cambodian citizens can return to their homes with safety and dignity," Keo Remy said.

For his part, Mr. Moreau expressed satisfaction with the ongoing partnership between the UN office and the CHRC. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening institutional ties to improve the promotion and protection of human rights within the Kingdom.

The meeting concluded with an optimistic outlook on the 2026 roadmap, with both sides expecting the enhanced cooperation to yield tangible improvements in the country's human rights landscape.

By K. Rithy Reak