Phnom penh: 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.'
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the CHRC expressed its profound concern and strongest condemnation of the acts committed by Thai Paramilitary Forces and Border Patrol Forces, who on September 17, 2025, deployed barbed wires, launched tear gas, and used slingshots against Cambodian civilians at Prey Chan village, O' Beichoan commune, O' Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province. These actions resulted in injuries to Cambodian citizens, including Buddhist monks.
These provocative acts are seen as 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 August 7, 2025, and the 1st Special Meeting of the General Border Affairs Committee of September 10, 2025. The statement underlined that these unlawful acts by the Thai Armed Forces have seriously infringed 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.
The CHRC emphasized that Cambodia has consistently 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 are the most effective means of safeguarding stability, security, and development.
The committee urgently demanded that the Royal Government and Armed Forces of Thailand immediately cease all acts violating Cambodia's sovereignty and the rights and freedoms of the Cambodian people. They called for strict compliance with Thailand's obligations under international and regional law and advocated 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.
Simultaneously, the CHRC appealed to the international community to intervene and urge Thailand to respect regional and international law. They also called for support for the immediate and unconditional release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers currently detained by the Thai military.