Phnom penh: Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra has called for urgent action to ensure the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of displaced Cambodian civilians, stating that more than 20,000 people, including around 6,000 children, remain unable to return to their homes and schools despite the ceasefire reached in late 2025. According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Neth Pheaktra wrote on his personal Facebook account on August 7 that of the approximately 650,000 Cambodian civilians displaced by two rounds of armed attacks by Thai military forces against Cambodian territory in 2025, around 20,000 remain displaced. He noted that approximately 6,000 children have been unable to resume their education and normal lives because they cannot return to their communities in parts of Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat provinces. The Minister described the situation as not merely a border issue but also a humanitarian and human rights concern that should not be ignored by the internat ional community. According to H.E. Neth Pheaktra, civilians should be able to return to their homes safely, voluntarily, and with dignity following the ceasefire. However, he noted that in some affected areas, villages remain surrounded by barbed wire and shipping containers, access roads have been blocked, civilian homes destroyed, and schools, Buddhist pagodas, health centres, and other civilian infrastructure damaged. He emphasised that while Cambodia and Thailand should continue resolving border demarcation issues peacefully through agreed bilateral mechanisms and in accordance with international law, the return of civilians should not be delayed because of the border dispute. Citing United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Mr. Thomas Andrews, H.E. Neth Pheaktra said the safe and dignified return of displaced civilians is a fundamental human rights issue that must be addressed. The Minister stated that the continued displacement of civilians raises humanitarian c oncerns in addition to Cambodia's position regarding alleged violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also questioned why tens of thousands of Cambodian civilians remain unable to return home months after the ceasefire. He further mentioned that the destruction of civilian homes, damage to schools, Buddhist pagodas, health centres, and other civilian infrastructure, as well as actions preventing civilians from returning to their communities, should not be normalised or overlooked without accountability. H.E. Neth Pheaktra stressed that peace should not be measured solely by the absence of armed conflict, but also by whether civilians are able to return home safely, children can go back to school, and families can rebuild their lives without fear. He called for the full implementation of the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025, and international law to facilitate the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of displaced civilians, urging that all obstacles preventing their return be removed so affected communities can rebuild their lives. He concluded that while the ceasefire may have ended the fighting, lasting peace cannot be achieved until displaced civilians are able to return home and children can return to school.
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