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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand following five days of deadly border clashes, while calling on both governments to pursue civil de-escalation and ensure redress for victims in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law.
Appeal for Accountability and Protection
Türk emphasized the need for both sides to rebuild trust, counter inflammatory rhetoric, and combat misinformation. He urged authorities to guarantee the safety and protection of each other’s nationals and to provide remedies for those affected by the violence.
“In a tense situation of this kind, it is important that both Thai and Cambodian authorities take steps to rebuild confidence, to counter harmful and inciteful rhetoric, and tackle misinformation in accordance with international human rights law,” Türk stated.
Background to the Conflict
The recent clashes stem from a long-standing territorial dispute over the Preah Vihear Temple, an 11th-century Hindu site located along the shared border. Although the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962—and reaffirmed in 2013—that the temple lies within Cambodian sovereignty, tensions have periodically flared.
The latest escalation began in May with the death of a Cambodian soldier and intensified in July when a landmine explosion killed five Thai soldiers. The conflict displaced thousands and resulted in at least 35 fatalities. It also led to the suspension of Thailand’s former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, following leaked communications with Cambodian leader Hen Sun that raised national security concerns.
International Mediation and Ceasefire
The ceasefire was brokered under pressure from the United States, China, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), led by Malaysia. The agreement is seen as a critical step toward restoring stability and preventing further loss of life.
