Cambodia Condemns Thailand of War Crimes, Citing Geneva Convention Violations

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 25, 2025) — Cambodia’s top ministries, state institutions and the Senate issued rare coordinated statements Thursday accusing Thailand of committing war crimes and grave violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions through continued attacks on Cambodian civilians and cultural heritage sites.

The Cambodian Human Rights Committee, the Office of the Council of Ministers, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Economy & Finance, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and the Senate said Thai armed forces have carried out indiscriminate strikes since Dec. 7, deploying fighter jets, tanks, naval warships, toxic smoke and cluster munitions.

The Ministry of Interior reported at least 30 civilians killed, 87 injured and more than 636,000 displaced. Schools, health centers, pagodas, government buildings, ancient temples, markets, bridges, roads, cell towers and homes have been destroyed or damaged.

The CHRC said Thai F-16 and T-50TH fighter jets, heavy artillery and naval vessels struck provinces including Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Oddar Meanchey, Battambang, Preah Vihear and Koh Kong, calling the attacks “grave breaches” of humanitarian law and fundamental rights.

Officials said the strikes violate the UN Charter, the Geneva Conventions and the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, citing damage to the Temple of Preah Vihear, the Spean Toab bridge and sacred Vishnu and Ta Um statues.

The Senate said the attacks also breach the July 28 ceasefire, the Oct. 26 Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, warning the violence threatens regional peace.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Supreme National Economic Council declared their “absolute denunciation” of Thailand’s actions, calling them brutal, unlawful and inhumane.

The CHRC said it will submit urgent appeals to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, urging international condemnation and accountability. Cambodia renewed its call for an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to peaceful resolution in line with international law.