Phnom penh: Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has expressed its deep regret over recent reports by certain Thai media outlets that have made unfounded and defamatory allegations claiming that Cambodia has laid new landmines along the border.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, these baseless accusations come at a time when Cambodia is exerting its utmost efforts to clear landmines and relieve the suffering of communities affected by mines and explosive remnants of war. Such unfounded claims also risk undermining the ongoing cooperative efforts of the Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF) established by both countries to advance humanitarian demining and strengthen mutual confidence along the border, as stated by CMAA in a public statement.
As a State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention), Cambodia remains steadfast in upholding and fully complying with the principles and obligations of the Convention. The statement emphasized that Cambodia views mine action not only as a humanitarian imperative but also as a vital contribution to peacebuilding and a cornerstone of national development. Cambodia has called upon Thailand to refrain from using a landmine incident that occurred on November 10, 2025, injuring two Thai soldiers in the Cambodia-Thailand border area, as a pretext to unilaterally suspend the implementation of the Joint Declaration signed on October 26, 2025.
On the occasion of the upcoming 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, Cambodia calls upon Thailand and all relevant parties to uphold the spirit of cooperation, foster a culture of dialogue, respect one another, and adhere to humanitarian principles and international law in pursuit of the shared goal of achieving a mine-free world. The statement warned that any allegation made without factual basis or credible investigation, or any attempt to politicize landmine-related issues, risks undermining mutual trust, damaging the reputation of States Parties, and eroding the integrity and spirit of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
CMAA reaffirmed that as a steadfast supporter and dedicated State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Cambodia has never used and will never use new anti-personnel mines under any circumstances.