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• 1 hour ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Cambodia Presses Case at Human Rights Council Over Displacement, Cluster Munitions and Preah Vihear Damage
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 17, 2026: Cambodia has used the floor of the United Nations Human Rights Council to press its case over the humanitarian consequences of the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, raising the continued displacement of more than 20,000 Cambodians and new cluster munition contamination on Cambodian soil.
H.E. Ambassador Ke Sovann, Cambodia's Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva, delivered the statement on Sept. 16 during the Council's 63rd session. He spoke under Agenda Item 3, the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's Analytical Report on the Human Rights of Women and Children in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations.
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the UN Office at Geneva
The Ambassador emphasised the disproportionate toll that armed conflict takes on women and children, and called for full compliance with international law, international humanitarian law and human rights law to shield civilians from the effects of hostilities.
He also used the occasion to respond to allegations raised by Thailand, addressing the initiation of hostilities, the landmine issue, damage to cultural heritage — singling out Preah Vihear Temple — and UN-documented displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure. He further cited what Cambodia describes as unlawful actions by Thai armed forces in areas of Cambodian territory under illegal occupation.
The Ambassador reiterated Cambodia's call for the full implementation of the Joint Statement of Dec. 27, 2025, which provides for civilians in affected border areas to return to their homes and livelihoods without obstruction.
Photo: H.E Neth Pheaktra
The intervention follows Cambodia's appeal at the General Border Committee framework and the recent visit by ASEAN observers to a displacement camp in Banteay Meanchey province, where 3,318 families remain unable to return home.
Source: Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the UN Office at Geneva
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
H.E. Ambassador Ke Sovann, Cambodia's Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva, delivered the statement on Sept. 16 during the Council's 63rd session. He spoke under Agenda Item 3, the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's Analytical Report on the Human Rights of Women and Children in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations.
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the UN Office at GenevaThe Ambassador emphasised the disproportionate toll that armed conflict takes on women and children, and called for full compliance with international law, international humanitarian law and human rights law to shield civilians from the effects of hostilities.
He also used the occasion to respond to allegations raised by Thailand, addressing the initiation of hostilities, the landmine issue, damage to cultural heritage — singling out Preah Vihear Temple — and UN-documented displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure. He further cited what Cambodia describes as unlawful actions by Thai armed forces in areas of Cambodian territory under illegal occupation.
The Ambassador reiterated Cambodia's call for the full implementation of the Joint Statement of Dec. 27, 2025, which provides for civilians in affected border areas to return to their homes and livelihoods without obstruction.
Photo: H.E Neth PheaktraThe intervention follows Cambodia's appeal at the General Border Committee framework and the recent visit by ASEAN observers to a displacement camp in Banteay Meanchey province, where 3,318 families remain unable to return home.
Source: Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the UN Office at Geneva
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
