Cambodia Files Human Rights Complaint Over Thai Military Violations

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept. 5, 2025) — The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) has formally appealed to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), alleging unlawful and unilateral actions by the Royal Thai Armed Forces in violation of a bilateral ceasefire agreement.

In a letter addressed to Balakrishnan Rajagopal, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, CHRC cited multiple incidents in August that it says breached the 13-point Agreed Minutes of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting between Cambodia and Thailand.

According to the CHRC, on Aug. 4, Thai soldiers armed with weapons unlawfully entered Cambodian territory in the An Ses area of Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, where they laid barbed wire and used machinery to clear land.

On Aug. 12 and 13, Thai paramilitary and border patrol forces reportedly conducted similar operations in Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages in Banteay Meanchey province, placing barbed wire, vehicle tires and barricades around civilian homes and farmland.

On Aug. 14, Thai forces allegedly attempted to carry out further operations near the Boeung Trakuon border checkpoint, but were stopped by Cambodian armed forces, local residents and international military attaché observers.

CHRC said these actions violate Thailand’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, as well as the mandate of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC).

The committee called for the immediate removal of all barbed wire and obstructions, restitution of civilian property, and full compliance with the ceasefire agreement reached on July 28 in Putrajaya and reaffirmed at the Aug. 7 GBC meeting in Malaysia.
CHRC urged OHCHR to treat the matter with urgency and support Cambodia’s efforts to ensure accountability for the violations.