More than 1,000 Cambodian citizens, including ordinary people and members of the international community, have signed an online petition calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Cambodia-Thailand conflict.
The petition has been sent to all embassies and consulates in the Kingdom, including the European Union, as well as United Nations agencies in both Cambodia and Thailand.
According to a press release, the petitioners are also seeking accountability for victims and damage to heritage sites, and oppose aggressive rhetoric or violence in any form, as well as military operations that harm civilians and violate human rights.
They are also demanding an end to airstrikes, invasions of Cambodian territory and attacks on civilian locations.
The group proposes a commitment to respecting the ceasefire and maintaining lasting peace through continued negotiations, border demarcation and the strengthening of sustainable cooperation and friendship between the two neighbouring countries. They demand that this be achieved through a reconciliation process based on respect and honesty.
Welcoming the December 27 ceasefire, they emphasised that the petition represents a collective voice without political bias, united by a common goal of peace, justice and fraternity with those affected by the conflict and supporters of peace.
Since December 7, artillery fire and airstrikes have destroyed infrastructure in the border provinces of Cambodia and Thailand, devastating homes, schools, hospitals and heritage sites such as the Preah Vihear and Ta Krabei temples.
As of December 29, in Cambodia, 32 civilians have been killed and nearly 100 injured, while more than 645,000 displaced persons have been forced to flee their homes. Some 254,000 children have had their education interrupted and are living in fear, suffering from direct and indirect psychological trauma.
The petition also highlights the indifference of major powers regarding attacks by a militarily stronger nation against a neighbour, viewing this behaviour as setting a dangerous precedent that threatens security and stability within the region, ASEAN and the entire world.
