AKP Phnom Penh, October 3, 2026 --

Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to open dialogue and continued cooperation with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, while calling for continued attention to the human-rights consequences of the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict.

Speaking at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Oct. 2, H.E. Ke Sovann, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations Office in Geneva, said Cambodia took note of the Special Rapporteur’s report and appreciated the constructive engagement during his first official visit to Cambodia.

He stressed that discussions on human rights should reflect the full picture, including both challenges and progress. Cambodia welcomed the report’s recognition of the country’s achievements and constructive cooperation with the mandate, while emphasising that these positive developments should not be underrepresented.

On the Cambodia-Thailand border situation, H.E. Ke Sovann highlighted what Cambodia considers the urgent human-rights consequences of the conflict. He said that approximately 650,000 Cambodians were internally displaced at the height of the situation in December 2025, while more than 20,000 people currently remain unable to return to their homes in Cambodian territory.

The Ambassador said the Special Rapporteur had identified practical obstacles to the return of displaced civilians and the impacts on their livelihoods, education, health and community life. Cambodia supported the Special Rapporteur’s call for Thailand and Cambodia to facilitate the return of displaced civilians, stressing their right to return home under international law.

Cambodia also called for continued engagement and good-faith implementation of the Dec. 27, 2025 Joint Statement in its entirety, particularly regarding the safe and dignified return of affected civilians and the resumption of their normal livelihoods.

Turning to online scams, H.E. Ke Sovann described the crime as transnational in nature and requiring collective action. He said Cambodia had intensified law enforcement, prosecution, financial investigations and international cooperation, resulting in the dismantling of hundreds of scam locations, the detention and prosecution of thousands of suspects, the freezing of significant criminal assets and the rescue of thousands of victims.

He also highlighted the International Conference on Combating Online Scams, hosted by Cambodia on Sept. 23-24, which adopted the Phnom Penh Declaration. The declaration commits participating countries to disrupting transnational criminal networks, protecting victims and strengthening international cooperation based on mutual respect, sovereignty and national law.

Regarding civic and political space, the Cambodian Ambassador reiterated that no one is prosecuted on the basis of political opinion, profession or affiliation. He said civil society continues to play an important role in Cambodia, while registration and licensing form part of the country’s legal framework and should not be regarded as restrictions on civic space.

On political participation, Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to pluralism, inclusiveness and liberal multi-party democracy. H.E. Ke Sovann said political participation extends beyond elections through inter-party dialogue and consultation, allowing political parties to express their views on policies and social issues.

He further highlighted Cambodia’s efforts to strengthen protection and inclusion for women, children, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ persons and indigenous communities, including work on same-sex relations, child protection, disability reform and indigenous communal land rights.

The Ambassador encouraged an approach that prioritises constructive engagement, technical assistance and capacity-building, while preserving space for dialogue, cooperation and sustainable development.

In his concluding remarks, H.E. Ke Sovann reiterated Cambodia’s readiness to continue engaging with the Special Rapporteur in good faith to advance human-rights protection and address the urgent needs of communities affected by the border conflict, in accordance with international law.

He also rejected the “false and misleading information” concerning the border situation, stating that the current displaced Cambodians were forced to flee their homes in Cambodian territory due to attacks by Thai armed forces in 2025.

He further stated that UN records showed Cambodian refugees from the civil war period in the 1970s had left Thailand by 1999, and reiterated Cambodia’s position that the Cambodia-Thailand international boundary is recognised under the 1904 Convention and 1907 Treaty.

H.E. Ke Sovann also said Cambodia considers the current activities of Thai armed forces in areas illegally occupied Cambodian territory to be contrary to the UN Charter, international law and bilateral agreements. He rejected any misuse of online scams as a pretext for encroachment on another State’s territory, while reiterating Cambodia’s commitment to combating online scams.

By C. Nika