Cambodia has expressed its disappointment at neighboring Thailand’s “serious violations” of the principles of the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Cambodia asserts that Thailand is using mine-related incidents near the border to justify “aggressive measures” against Cambodian civilians.
Senior Minister Delivers Remarks at Geneva Side Event
The remarks were delivered by Senior Minister H.E. Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), during a Cambodia-led side event in Geneva, Switzerland, on Dec. 3. The event focused on “Strengthening International Cooperation through Capacity Development for a Mine-Free World.”
Allegations of Unsubstantiated Accusations
Addressing the recent situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, H.E. Ly Thuch claimed Thailand had leveraged mine incidents to launch accusations against Cambodia, which he labeled as “unfounded, unsubstantiated and unsupported by thorough investigation.” He further asserted that these actions were used to “justify aggressive measures that resulted in harm to Cambodian civilians living in border areas.”
H.E. Ly Thuch reaffirmed Cambodia’s readiness to cooperate fully and to continue engaging through existing mechanisms to address issues peacefully, ensuring border peace, stability, and civilian safety.
Cambodia: From Mine-Affected to Global Leader
The Senior Minister highlighted Cambodia’s successful transformation “from one of the world’s most heavily mine-affected countries into a global leader in mine action,” a feat he attributed to sustained international support. He noted that Cambodia now provides significant support to other mine- and explosive remnants of war (ERW)-affected nations, driven by a deep understanding of human suffering and a belief in collective effort.
Focus on Capacity Development and Article 5
The event, which focused on the critical role of capacity development under Article 5 of the Ottawa Convention, drew representatives from key international bodies and States Parties, including Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), GICHD, and ARMAC.