AKP Phnom Penh, December 09, 2025 --

The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) has submitted an urgent appeal to international human rights institutions concerning Thailand’s violation of Cambodia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the fundamental rights and freedoms of innocent Cambodian civilians.

According to a press release issued on Dec. 9, the appeal follows repeated attacks by the Thai military in Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat provinces, involving the use of heavy weapons, F-16 fighter jets, and toxic gas. These attacks have reportedly caused civilian casualties, damage to homes, temples, health centers, and the closure of hundreds of schools, as well as the displacement of thousands of civilians along the border. 

The CHRC stated that these acts constitute violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, international law, ceasefire agreements, and the Joint Declaration signed by Cambodia and Thailand in Kuala Lumpur under the witness of the U.S. President and the Malaysian Prime Minister.

In light of the violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the fundamental rights and freedoms of the innocent Cambodian people, the CHRC has prepared and submitted an urgent appeal to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Southeast Asia in Bangkok, independent national human rights institutions in the ASEAN region, as well as the rotating chair and representative of Malaysia to AICHR.

In the urgent appeal, the CHRC called for and raised a number of requests as follows:

- Issue an urgent public statement condemning these acts of aggression by the Thai Armed Forces against Cambodia.

- Deploy a fact-finding or assessment mission independently and impartially verify the human rights situation, including conducts of assessment on civilian impacts, damages to civilian infrastructure, disruptions of accessibility to basic needs and rights, as well as, displacement.

- Engage directly with the Government of Thailand to stop its violation.

- Provide technical support and coordination with relevant UN bodies to monitor, document, and report on the violations, especially those involving the use of toxic gas and military attacks on civilians.

- Encourage Thailand to fully cooperate with international mechanisms, including granting access for UN investigators and ensuring full accountability for any breaches of international law.

- Support humanitarian assistance efforts for affected civilians, particularly those displaced or injured resulted from the attacks.

- Report the situation to the United Nations Human Rights Council and relevant special procedures.

- Urge the Royal Thai Government to secure the immediate unconditional release and repatriation of the Cambodian soldiers.

The CHRC also reaffirmed Cambodia's position in adhering to the principles of international human rights law and called on the international community to hold Thailand fully accountable and take immediate measures to ensure justice for the victims and the protection of all civilians along the Cambodian-Thai border.

By C. Nika