Vitit Muntarbhorn, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, resigned from the position due to “health reasons” some two weeks ago, following widespread criticisms over his inaction on the situation of human rights at the Cambodian-Thailand border.
“I regret very much to inform you that, due to health reasons, I resign from my position as Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Cambodia. My resignation is effective with this letter of resignation,” he wrote in a letter to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. The letter, seen by The Post on December 6, was dated November 24.
“I have had the pleasure of supporting the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council for five years since my appointment as special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Cambodia. It has been a great honour to promote and protect human rights in the country, and to be of assistance to the people of the land,” he said.
“I have undertaken the work as an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as a mark of my commitment to human rights, democracy, peace and sustainable development worldwide,” he added.
Muntarbhorn, a Thai national, held the position since March 2021, but was recently criticised for inaction regarding the human rights situation along the borders, included the killing of a Cambodian civilian in Banteay Meanchey by Thai soldiers, the alleged gangrape of a Cambodian migrant worker by Thai forces and the situation of displaced people.
