BANGKOK — UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews has defended his recent statement on the human rights situation in Cambodia, saying the Thai government was given an advance draft of sections concerning the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict but did not respond before its publication.
Andrews made the remarks in a Facebook post on 7 August, responding to criticism from the Thai government over his work following his latest mission to Cambodia.
He said he welcomed comments and feedback on his statement, including views from the Thai government.
“That is why I sent the Thai government a draft of the sections relating to the border conflict two days before the statement was released,” Andrews said.
He said the draft included references to the displacement of Cambodian people.
“While I did not receive a response from the Thai government to that communication, I remain very open and eager to discuss the Thai government’s views,” he said.
Andrews also addressed public criticism from Thai officials over his estimate that around 650,000 Cambodians had been displaced by the conflict, including his reference to some displaced people being in Thailand.
He said he acknowledged Thailand’s position on the figures but maintained that the number came from UN reporting.
His use of the term “displaced” was based on human rights concerns and was not dependent on claims of territorial sovereignty, he said.
Andrews said he would prepare a full report on the human rights situation in Cambodia for submission to the UN Human Rights Council next month.
He said he would contact the Thai government again while preparing the report and hoped to engage with Thai officials to hear their views before the report was published.
The UN rapporteur also stressed the importance of resolving the border conflict quickly and peacefully so that people could return home, live in stable and safe conditions and benefit from economic opportunities created by cross-border trade.
Andrews praised the Thai government for publicly expressing its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, saying this provided an important foundation for dialogue.
“As I stated in my statement, I am eager to work with both the Cambodian and Thai governments to address the human rights concerns arising from the conflict, including the displacement of civilians,” he said.
“Whether they are Thai or Cambodian, human rights matter.”
