Phnom penh: The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has emphasised the necessity of treating detained military personnel in accordance to international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 'It is essential that all military personnel detained in the course of an armed conflict are treated fully in accordance with applicable international human rights law and international humanitarian law,' said H.E. Volker Trk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a letter dated Oct. 10 in response to the petitions of H.E. Keo Remy, President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), regarding the 18 Cambodian soldiers who remain under Thai custody.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Volker Trk has called upon the Government of Thailand to comply with international norms concerning the treatment of the Cambodian personnel currently detained by its forces. He highlighted the importance of the ceasefire agreement reached between Cambodia and Thailand on July 28, 2025, and the subsequent 13-point implementation agreement concluded on Aug. 7, 2025, as frameworks for de-escalating tensions and preventing harm to civilians and civilian objects.
The UN High Commissioner urged both Governments to fully respect the ceasefire arrangements and to ensure the protection of civilians. He also advocated for confidence building measures through bilateral and regional mechanisms as essential steps towards peaceful conflict resolution and lasting peace.
Additionally, H.E. Volker Trk reaffirmed the OHCHR's commitment to supporting the Governments of Cambodia and Thailand in upholding their human rights obligations.