Cambodian human rights chief Keo Remy has called on the United Nations regional office for human rights to intervene in the case of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in Thailand for more than 100 days.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Keo Remy, head of Cambodia’s Human Rights Committee, urged Rory Mongoven, the UN’s Asia-Pacific human rights representative in Geneva, to help secure the soldiers’ release. He also appealed for measures to prevent the use of weapons that violate international law during border conflicts, including chemical gas and cluster munitions.

Keo Remy expressed disappointment toward Sweden, a country known for its human rights advocacy, for selling Gripen fighter jets to Thailand at a time of heightened tensions between the two neighbors.

The call came as Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense renewed its appeal for the safe and lawful release of the 18 soldiers, detained by Thai forces for 105 days as of November 11. The ministry said it had used every available diplomatic and legal channel to secure their return and reaffirmed that the Cambodian government “never abandons its soldiers under any circumstance.”

On November 6, Thai army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said Thailand planned to release the soldiers on November 12, provided two conditions were met: the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas and assurances that mine-clearing operations would not be obstructed.

However, on November 10, the Khaosod newspaper quoted Thai Defense Minister Nattapon Nakpanit as saying that the planned release had been postponed after two Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine earlier in the week.

The case has strained relations between the two neighboring countries, which share a long and sometimes volatile border. Cambodian officials have continued to urge dialogue and adherence to international humanitarian law to ensure the soldiers’ swift and safe return.