Phnom penh: Cambodia has called for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of more than 20,000 displaced people who remain unable to return to their homes due to restrictions imposed by the Thai military. Speaking at the First Special Meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) for 2026, held from July 17 to 21 in Manila, the Philippines, H.E. Pa Ponnarada, Cambodia's Alternate Representative to AICHR and a member of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, highlighted the plight of Cambodian civilians displaced by the border conflict.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, a press release issued by the Cambodian Human Rights Committee on the evening of July 22 detailed H.E. Pa Ponnarada's statement that more than 20,000 Cambodian displaced persons have yet to return to their homes because of barriers erected by the Thai military, including barbed-wire fences and shipping containers. He described the situation as a serious violation of human rights.
H.E. Pa Ponnarada reiterated the provisions of the ceasefire agreement signed on December 27, 2025, particularly Point 4, which clearly states that both parties agreed to allow civilians living in the affected border areas to return to their homes and resume their normal lives as soon as possible, without obstruction and in conditions of safety and dignity.
He called on all concerned parties to fully respect international humanitarian principles, uphold human rights, protect civilians, and ensure that affected residents can return home safely, voluntarily, with dignity, and in a sustainable manner.
Additionally, he stressed that damage to or destruction of civilian property - including homes, schools, health centres, and other infrastructure - must be prevented and protected in accordance with the principles of international law.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Ms. Georgina Ann Hernandez Yang, Acting Chair of AICHR, and attended by AICHR representatives and alternate representatives from ASEAN member states, as well as officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.