I appreciate the interest in the statement that I released at a news conference following the completion of my recent mission to Cambodia as UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia.
I appreciate the interest in the statement that I released at a news conference following the completion of my recent mission to Cambodia as UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia.
I appreciate the interest in the statement that I released at a news conference following the completion of my recent mission to Cambodia as UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia.
I welcome feedback on my statement, including from the government of Thailand. That is why I sent the Thai government an advance draft of the portion of the statement concerning the border conflict two days before it was issued, including the part addressing the displacement of Cambodians. While I did not receive a response to that communication, I remain open and eager to discuss the Thai government’s perspective.
Thai officials have publicly disputed my reference to approximately 650,000 Cambodians displaced by the conflict, including by stating that some of those displaced were residing on Thai territory. While noting Thailand’s perspective, the figure was drawn from UN reports and my reference to those displaced is based on human rights concerns which apply regardless of conflicting territorial claims.
Next month I will complete my report to the UN Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, and I will again be reaching out to the Thai government as I prepare that report. I hope that I will be able to engage with Thai officials so that I might learn their perspective before my report is published.
I cannot stress enough the importance of resolving the border conflict swiftly and peacefully so that people can return to their homes, enjoy a stable and secure environment, and seize the economic opportunities that border trade can provide.
