UN envoy says Thailand received draft but did not respond

BANGKOK — United Nations Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews clarified his recent remarks regarding the human rights situation in Cambodia, stating that Thailand had received a preliminary draft of the sections pertaining to the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute but had not responded prior to its release. In a Facebook post on 7 August, Andrews addressed criticism from Thailand regarding his work following his latest mission to Cambodia.

He expressed willingness to receive comments and feedback, including from the Thai government. The draft provided by Andrews included references to the displacement of Cambodian individuals. Despite not receiving a response from Thailand, Andrews maintained openness to discussing their perspectives. He also tackled Thai officials' criticism over his estimate of around 650,000 Cambodians displaced by the conflict, including those residing in Thailand.

Andrews acknowledged Thailand's stance on the figures but confirmed the number was sourced from UN reports, emphasizing human rights concerns over territorial sovereignty. He announced plans to submit a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in Cambodia to the UN Human Rights Council next month, intending to engage with Thai officials during the preparation.

Andrews stressed the urgency of resolving the border conflict peacefully and swiftly to allow displaced persons to return home and benefit from economic benefits from cross-border trade. He praised Thailand for publicly committing to human rights promotion and protection, highlighting it as a solid foundation for dialogue. Andrews reiterated his eagerness to collaborate with both Cambodian and Thai governments to address human rights issues, including the displacement of civilians.