Thailand FM accuses UN envoy of bias in Cambodia rights report

BANGKOK — Thailand has expressed disappointment with a United Nations special envoy's report on human rights in Cambodia, accusing the UN mechanism of biased reporting and exceeding its mandate. In a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that the government was concerned about the credibility and impartiality of the UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews' end-of-mission statement following his visit to Cambodia from July 20-31.

Thailand accused the statement of making several allegations against the country and deviating from the mandate given to the UN Human Rights Council. The government also claimed that Andrews failed to provide Thailand sufficient opportunity to present its facts and views before releasing the statement and accompanying press conference.

Thailand alleged that the report contained several distorted claims that lacked proper verification, which it said was inconsistent with the UN Human Rights Council's Code of Conduct for Special Procedures mandate holders. Thailand emphasized that it had provided relevant information to the UN High Commissioner through various channels, yet the statement failed to consider the facts and views of all relevant parties, breaching the principles of neutrality, impartiality, and fact-based reporting.

The Thai government further expressed concern that the statement fueled political narratives by interested parties. Despite its criticism, Thailand remains committed to cooperating with the UN Human Rights Council and its special procedures, as a member of the Council.