The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) will submit additional petitions to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant parties asking them to condemn, apply pressure and take measures regarding Thailand’s violations against Cambodia, including the use of F-16 and T-50TH aircraft to attack civilian areas.
The committee strongly condemned the continued “brutal attacks” by Thailand involving the use of heavy weaponry, F-16 and T-50TH fighter jets, warships, toxic smoke and cluster munitions on locations inhabited by civilians in Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Oddar Meanchey, Battambang, Preah Vihear and Koh Kong provinces, according to a statement released today, December 24.
As of December 24, 21 civilians have been killed and 83 have been injured, while the number of war refugees has risen to over 600,000.
Meanwhile, civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, including homes, ancient temples, schools, health centres, pagodas, bridges and vehicles.
“This cruel and inhumane act is not only a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also a serious violation of the fundamental human rights of the Cambodian people, specifically the right to life and personal safety of civilians, as well as property rights, which are strictly protected by international human rights law,” said the CHRC.
It added that firing upon civilians and civilian property is a clear violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the fundamental principles of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and relevant Additional Protocols, which absolutely prohibit attacks on civilians and demand the protection of the population in all circumstances.
The committee claimed that the Thai military is committing three crimes: the crime of aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“These crimes must be held accountable under international law,” it said.
The committee noted that the petitions it has submitted, and continues to submit, serve as important reference documents for discussions within the meetings of various human rights mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council and international human rights treaty mechanisms regarding the serious human rights violations by the Thai side against Cambodia.
The use of all types of weapons, including F-16 and T-50TH fighter jets, to strike deep within Cambodia’s sovereign territory demonstrates aggression that extends beyond border dispute issues. It constitutes a serious violation of international law, and specifically the ceasefire agreement and the joint statement on the peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, the statement said.
It also quoted US President Donald Trump who stated that Thailand was the one who initiated the aggression against Cambodia first. The committee asked that the international community force Thailand to immediately stop these acts of aggression, the use of military force and attacks on civilians, as well as to ensure accountability for those who have committed these violations.
