Cambodia urges UN probe into Thai military actions against civilians

PHNOM PENH, Jan 22, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia has called on the United Nations to investigate alleged Thai military actions against civilians, after reports that homes belonging to Cambodians were destroyed in areas reportedly occupied by Thailand.

Keo Remy, senior minister and chair of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), raised the issue during a meeting on Wednesday with Benjamin Moreau, officer-in-charge of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Cambodia.

The CHRC said the Thai military had demolished homes and blocked residents from returning by placing shipping containers and barbed wire.

It urged OHCHR to monitor the situation through international mechanisms and engage stakeholders to ensure Cambodian citizens’ rights are protected.

“The actions reported constitute violations of fundamental human rights, including freedom of movement, adequate housing, property rights and personal security,” the committee said in a statement.

The meeting also reviewed human rights achievements in 2025 and discussed priorities for 2026, including implementing recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review, raising awareness of national human rights institutions, capacity-building for civil servants and continued dialogue on rights cases.

Both sides expressed optimism that ongoing cooperation would strengthen human rights promotion and protection in Cambodia.