AKP Phnom Penh, August 18, 2026 -- Cambodia and Canada have discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in the field of human rights, as well as developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

The discussion took place during a meeting between H.E. Keo Remy, Senior Minister and President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), and H.E. Christian DesRoches, Ambassador of Canada to Cambodia, at the CHRC on Tuesday morning.

According to a CHRC press release, H.E. Keo Remy briefed the Canadian ambassador on activities by the Thai side and the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, which involved serious violations of international law, particularly international human rights and humanitarian law.

He raised concerns over alleged discrimination, threats and various forms of violence against Cambodian migrant workers living and working in Thailand.

He also raised an allegation concerning a gang rape of a Cambodian migrant worker by Thai military personnel while she was returning from Thailand to Cambodia.

According to the CHRC president, indiscriminate attacks had been carried out deep inside Cambodian sovereign territory using heavy weapons, cluster munitions, toxic smoke and fighter aircraft, including F-16, Gripen and T-50 aircraft, causing damage to private and public property, including the Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage Site, and displacing more than 640,000 people.

He further laid stress on attempts to create a “fait accompli” on the ground through the destruction of residents’ houses and the construction of new infrastructure in areas occupied and illegally held, as well as the alleged looting of Cambodian citizens’ property by Thai troops.

Despite the Dec. 27, 2025 ceasefire agreement, nearly 20,000 displaced Cambodians remain unable to return to their homes due to the illegal occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai forces, the deployment of barbed wire and containers, and the destruction of Cambodian residents’ homes.

During the meeting, H.E. Keo Remy also briefed the Canadian ambassador on Cambodia’s efforts to promote and protect the rights of same-sex couples. He highlighted guidance from Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen to avoid discrimination against same-sex couples, as well as Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet’s call for careful use of language that could lead to discrimination.

He also noted Cambodia’s cooperation with France on a draft resolution entitled “Towards Universal Decriminalisation of Homosexuality.”

Regarding the human rights situation in prisons, H.E. Keo Remy said conditions had improved and highlighted the placement of complaint boxes of the CHRC in prisons and correctional centres.

For his part, H.E. Christian DesRoches thanked H.E. Keo Remy for the warm welcome and for sharing important information, while acknowledging Cambodia’s development progress.

The Canadian ambassador also highlighted Canada’s interest in promoting and bringing Canadian investors to Cambodia. He additionally raised issues related to online scams, freedom of expression and press freedom, and expressed hope that cooperation between Cambodia and Canada would continue to grow stronger.

By C. Nika