Seventy-three civil society groups in Cambodia and Thailand have called on the Thai government to immediately and unconditionally release captured Cambodian soldiers, so that peace may be maintained and the soldiers can be reunited with their families and loved ones.
The appeal was made in a joint statement released today, August 29, on the one month anniversary of the soldier’s capture.
The 18 Cambodian soldiers were detained by Thai troops on July 29, the day after the ceasefire took effect. Thailand’s armed forces and foreign ministry have declared that they have classified the men as prisoners of war (POWs).
The groups expressed appreciation for the fact that the Thai military has allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to visit the prisoners and check on their wellbeing, but stressed that the Cambodians must be released immediately.
Both Cambodia and Thailand have observed a ceasefire since July 28. Therefore, the signatories believe the Cambodian soldiers must be freed and repatriated without delay.
“The continued detention of the soldiers only serves to fuel tensions between the two countries and obstructs the reconciliation process between the neighbours, which must be pursued to build a lasting and sustainable peace,” said the statement.
