(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the findings of UN Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews concerning the displacement of Cambodian civilians amid the border conflict, saying his figures are consistent with data collected by UN agencies and humanitarian partners operating on the ground.
In an official statement dated 7 August 2026, issued in response to media enquiries about Andrews' first visit to Cambodia from 20 to 31 July, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson welcomed the Special Rapporteur's End of Mission Statement and his first mission undertaken under the mandate.
According to the spokesperson’s statement, consistent with its international obligations and commitments to human rights under the core human rights treaties it has ratified, Cambodia provided the Special Rapporteur full access to places of detention, a displacement site and the border region, and facilitated meetings with relevant officials at every level, while fostering an environment conducive to independent engagement with civil society and activists.
Cambodia’s continued cooperation is underpinned by Cambodia's confidence in the United Nations' established mechanisms and the Special Rapporteur's professionalism in conducting independent scrutiny based on factual realities on the ground, the statement added.
On the specific matter of the border situation, the ministry stated that the displacement and return figures referenced in the Special Rapporteur's Statement, which indicate that approximately 650,000 Cambodian civilians were displaced in border regions at the end of last year, with more than 20,000 remaining displaced, are consistent with data compiled through the field presence of United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners operating in the border region, including feeding and shelter programmes still underway.
The ministry further stated that while recent public statements from Thai authorities dispute the precise figures, they nonetheless confirm that many Cambodian civilians have been displaced and remain unable to return to their homes due to Thailand's unlawful occupation of Cambodia's territory.
According to the ministry, Cambodia welcomes continued independent verification of this situation by relevant agencies and accredited diplomatic missions, and stands ready to facilitate further visits to the affected areas.
On the right of return, Cambodia reaffirmed its firm commitment to the Joint Statement of 27 December 2025, noting that under point 4 of this Joint Statement, Cambodia and Thailand commit to allow civilians in the affected border areas to return at the earliest opportunity, without obstruction, and in safety and dignity, to their homes and normal livelihoods.
Cambodia called for the immediate, full, and effective implementation of this commitment, in its entirety, through the existing bilateral mechanisms established for this purpose, particularly the prompt resumption of the survey and demarcation work of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) so that every displaced civilian is able to return home.
The ministry said Cambodia will continue to engage with the Human Rights Council on all matters raised by the Special Rapporteur and looks forward to a full and constructive discussion of the situation, at the Council's next session.
It also reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to resolving all outstanding issues arising from the border situation through peaceful means, dialogue, and respect for the existing treaties, bilateral agreements and international law, and to the full implementation of the commitments both governments made on 27 December 2025, in the interest of the peoples of both countries.
=FRESH NEWS
