Arya News - Ke Sovann, permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered Cambodia’s statement under September 16’s Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s Analytical Report on the Human Rights of Women and Children in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situation.
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia’s representative at the UN in Geneva has continued to raise the plight of the thousands of Cambodian woman and children who were displaced by last year’s border conflict and remain unable to return home.
Ke Sovann, permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered Cambodia’s statement under September 16’s Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s Analytical Report on the Human Rights of Women and Children in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situation.
“Our recent experiences show that armed conflict not only causes loss of life, but also creates displacement and insecurity, damages civilian infrastructure, and disrupts access to education, healthcare, livelihoods and essential services,” he said.
“Currently, more than 20,000 Cambodians, including over 9,400 women and 6,000 children, remain displaced due to the ongoing illegal occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai armed forces,” he added.
Sovann also touched on safety issue for Cambodian civilian, in particular the widespread risk of unexploded cluster munitions reportedly fired by the Thai military.
He noted that since the border conflict, surveys across seven Cambodian provinces have identified nearly 4,000 square kilometres of newly affected areas, including almost 3,000 square kilometres of land contaminated by cluster munitions.
“These new unexploded submunitions not only impede the safe return of displaced communities, but also continue to endanger civilians, particularly women and children, and will have long-term consequences for generations to come,” he said.
He reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to fully respect for international law, humanitarian and human rights laws, saying they are essential to protect civilians from the devastating consequences of armed conflict.