UN warns 20,000 Cambodians still displaced

Tom Andrews and Hun Manet

The United Nations has raised alarm over the plight of more than 20,000 Cambodian civilians who remain stranded along the border with Thailand, a year after armed clashes forced them from their homes.

Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, said many families he met at relocation sites were unable to return because villages and farmland are still occupied by Thai troops. “It is imperative that Thailand and Cambodia work together to expedite the return of displaced civilians,” he urged, stressing that international law guarantees their right to go home. Thailand denies acting illegally, citing a ceasefire agreement.

The prolonged border closures have hit local economies hard, particularly communities dependent on cross‑border trade in agricultural goods. Andrews warned that the disruption is deepening hardship in already vulnerable regions.

Beyond displacement, Cambodia faces what Andrews described as a “cyberscam crisis”. Criminal networks have proliferated across the country, exploiting workers and foreign nationals. Authorities have shut down more than 600 scam sites and revoked licences from dozens of casinos, with thousands of operators facing prosecution. Yet Andrews noted that senior officials allegedly linked to these operations have not been held accountable.

Human rights concerns also extend to freedom of expression. Andrews said he had received reports of more than 100 people detained for exercising their right to speak, assemble or associate. “No one should be behind bars for exercising their fundamental human rights,” he said, adding that free debate will be crucial as Cambodia prepares for its next elections.

Despite these challenges, Andrews praised Cambodia’s economic progress and said his meetings with Prime Minister Hun Manet and senior officials showed a willingness to engage. His mission, which began in April, included visits to activists, journalists, civil society groups and detention centres.

The UN envoy concluded that Cambodia’s future hinges on three urgent priorities: resolving displacement, tackling cybercrime and safeguarding basic freedoms.

-2026-08-02