Cambodia raised human rights issues and the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute in Geneva on October 2, 2026. At the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council, His Excellency Ke Sovann, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, delivered an intervention under Agenda Item 10 on the human rights situation in Cambodia. On this occasion, His Excellency reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to open dialogue, cooperation, and a balanced assessment of the human rights situation, and highly valued cooperation with the Special Rapporteur during his first official mission to Cambodia.
Cambodia also specifically raised the human rights impacts linked to the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute, stating that more than 20,000 Cambodian citizens have not yet been able to return to their homes due to the presence of Thai armed forces. Cambodia supported calls for the safe and dignified return of displaced persons in accordance with international law, and called for the full and sincere implementation of the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025. Alongside this, Cambodia highlighted the strengthening of law enforcement and international cooperation against technology-enabled fraud, and spotlighted the international conference held in Phnom Penh on September 23-24, 2026, which adopted the "Phnom Penh Declaration."
Separately, in response to Thailand's statement, Cambodia rejected allegations it considered untrue and misleading. Cambodia recalled that Cambodian citizens who are currently displaced were forced to leave their homes on their own land due to attacks by Thai armed forces in 2025, and asserted that the current actions of Thai armed forces on Cambodian territory constitute a violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and bilateral agreements. Cambodia also reaffirmed its commitment to civil society organizations, political participation, multiparty politics, and liberal multiparty democracy, as well as the protection of the rights and participation of women, children, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ groups, and indigenous minority communities. By: Sopheak.
