Cambodia urges UN to intervene over Thai detention of soldiers

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.03, 2025) — The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) has renewed its appeal for urgent United Nations intervention following the continued detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers by Thai military forces, more than two months after a ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

In a formal letter sent to Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and delivered to the OHCHR office in Geneva, the CHRC expressed “grave concern” over what it described as the unlawful detention and mistreatment of Cambodian personnel.

According to the committee, 20 Cambodian soldiers were initially detained by Thai forces. Two have since been released, but 18 remain in custody as of Oct. 2—65 days after the ceasefire was signed on July 28.

The CHRC claims the detention violates international human rights and humanitarian law, including prohibitions against arbitrary detention under core treaties.

“Each passing day without information on their loved ones inflicts unbearable pain, fear, and emotional distress,” the letter stated, citing the impact on families.

The committee urged the UN human rights office to engage directly with Thai authorities to secure the unconditional release and repatriation of the soldiers. It warned that failure to act could undermine human rights protections and set a dangerous precedent.

As of Thursday, neither the Thai government nor the UN human rights office had issued a public response.