Over 20,000 Cambodian Civilians Trapped in Displacement Crisis, Cambodia Tells ASEAN

PHNOM PENH, July 23, 2026 – Cambodia has sounded the alarm over a growing humanitarian crisis, revealing that more than 20,000 civilians remain trapped in displacement along the Thai border, unable to return to their homes nearly a year after a ceasefire was signed.

The urgent appeal was made at the first special meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in Manila, where the Cambodian delegation demanded immediate action to end the suffering of displaced families.

H.E. Pa Punnarada, Deputy Representative of Cambodia to AICHR, told the meeting that Thai military forces continue to block the return of displaced civilians through barbed wire, shipping containers, and ongoing occupation of Cambodian territory. He described the situation as a grave human rights violation that cannot be ignored.

"This is a direct violation of the December 27, 2025 ceasefire agreement, which clearly states that civilians must be allowed to return to their homes without obstruction, in safety and dignity," he said.

The Cambodian delegation called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights, urging ASEAN members to take a firm stance and ensure that affected communities can finally return home.

— Source: Cambodian Human Rights Committee

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Reported by The Khmer Today