UN rights chief Volker Turk called for both sides to protect civilians from further harm after both sides accused each other of breaching a deal that has largely halted the open combat along the frontier.
The nations agreed a truce starting Tuesday after five days of clashes killed at least 43 on both sides, as a long-standing dispute over contested border temples boiled over into fighting on their 800-kilometre (500-mile) boundary.
“This crucial agreement must be fully respected, in good faith, by both sides, as diplomatic efforts continue, in a bid to resolve the root causes of the conflict,” Turk said. The UN high commissioner for human rights said both sides needed to restore security at the border, and ensure that victims of violence and displacement receive redress.
The peace pact was sealed in Malaysia after intervention from US President Donald Trump — who both Thailand and Cambodia are courting for a trade deal to avert his threat of eye-watering tariffs.
“In a tense situation of this kind, it is important that both Thai and Cambodian authorities take steps to rebuild confidence, to counter harmful and inciteful rhetoric, and tackle misinformation in accordance with international human rights law,” Turk said.
“It is the responsibility of both governments to ensure the safety and protection of each other’s nationals on their territory.”
Platform with AFP
