Cambodia accuses Thai forces of human rights viola | RSS.com
Cambodia’s Human Rights Committee has condemned Thai troops for what it calls serious human rights violations against Cambodian villagers in Banteay Meanchey province.
The committee said Thai paratroopers and border forces fired weapons, tear gas, and rubber bullets at residents of Prey Chan village in O’Bai Chorn commune, Ou Chrov district, during an operation yesterday. It described the assault as an attempt to seize land and farmland that Cambodians have lived on for generations.
Maly Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence, also denounced the Thai forces, insisting Cambodia remains committed to resolving border disputes peacefully.
The statement accused Thailand of breaching the 2000 border memorandum, past ceasefire agreements, and commitments under the United Nations Charter, ASEAN Charter, and international human rights law.
Cambodia’s Interior Ministry issued a separate statement calling Thailand’s actions “an outrageous crime against humanity,” alleging Thai troops carried out a planned campaign of intimidation, including surrounding homes, farmland, and expelling families from their villages.
The New Generation Party joined the criticism, stating that the Thai operation constituted a serious breach of the spirit of previous border committee agreements.
Thailand’s side rejected the allegations. The Bangkok-based newspaper Khaosod quoted Surawit Daengjan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army’s First Region, who accused Cambodian soldiers of using women, children, and monks as cover while staging hostile actions on Thai territory.
Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated that border gates with Cambodia would remain closed until Phnom Penh meets three conditions within 30 days: withdrawing heavy weapons from border areas, cooperating in mine clearance operations, and effectively combating cross-border cyber scams.
Thai authorities claim they have provided Cambodia with intelligence pinpointing scam centres in Poipet, Koh Kong, Bavet, Svay Rieng, Mondulkiri, Preah Sihanouk, Phnom Penh, and Pursat. Cambodian officials previously denied knowledge of these locations.
Observers note the confrontation comes amid heightened tensions along the border, where disputes over territory have long complicated relations between the two neighbours.
