MAG statement on the recent military clashes on the border between Cambodia and Thailand:
MAG is deeply concerned by the increased tensions and recent military clashes on the border between Cambodia and Thailand.
Trust, transparency and peace should prevail in the conduct of all international relations, in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
Dialogue must be pursued as a priority above the use of force, as set out in Article 2(3) of the Charter of the United Nations:
“All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.”
Both states were among the first signatories to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (AP Mine Ban Convention), demonstrating commitment to international law, multilateralism and peace, with the ultimate goal of preventing human suffering.
Since then, both states have demonstrated leadership at the international level – including Cambodia’s Presidency of the Fifth Review Conference of the AP Mine Ban Convention in Siem Reap last year and Thailand’s current role on the Committee on Article 5 implementation. At the Review Conference, both Cambodia and Thailand reaffirmed their commitment to the importance of international cooperation and partnership.
Both states have demonstrated significant progress in implementing their national obligations, including regular transparency reporting on clearance, stockpile destruction and the limited retention of mines permitted for training purposes under Article 3 of the Treaty. MAG has long appreciated constructive and transparent dialogue with both states.
In 2019, Thailand reported destruction of all anti-personnel mines previously retained for permitted purposes. As a leading humanitarian mine action operator in Cambodia, MAG contributes annually to Cambodia’s reporting under Article 7, which includes a summary of mines that are free from explosives held by implementing partners for training and educational display.
We are concerned that recent mine incidents have occurred despite commitments by both Cambodia and Thailand to address contamination from anti-personnel mines and other explosive remnants of war along their shared border. The Joint Boundary Commission has been cited as an example of cross-border collaboration in mine action, leading towards confidence-building and, ultimately, peace-building. Full compliance with all articles of the AP Mine Ban Convention - including through clearance, international cooperation and transparency, and refraining from new use of anti-personnel mines - is the only route to ensuring the safety of all communities.
The principles and objectives established under the AP Mine Ban Convention are mirrored in those of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to which neither Cambodia or Thailand are currently signatory. Reported use of cluster munitions by Thailand is concerning. These munitions are considered indiscriminate by many states as they pose a potential threat to civilians even when used against military targets, due to their wide area effects and high failure rate. The only way to prevent indiscriminate harm is through all parties prohibiting their use. MAG calls on Thailand to refrain from use of cluster munitions and on both Cambodia and Thailand to accede to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
It is notable that both Cambodia and Thailand have endorsed the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). This demonstrates the spirit of multilateralism and cooperation within both states and their respective commitment to the protection of civilians.
We encourage both Cambodia and Thailand to recall and be guided by this spirit, settling disputes by peaceful means. We call on both states to fully uphold their commitments under the AP Mine Ban Convention and to take steps to become Party to and abide by the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
In a time of when the norms and principles of international humanitarian law are under increasing pressure, we encourage both Cambodia and Thailand to recall their commitment to peace and their long history of leadership within the region and globally.
