Vitit Muntarbhorn, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia
The resignation of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Vitit Muntarbhorn, is a regrettable circumstance but what is more regrettable is the lack of accountability for the Thai government’s treatment of Cambodian people.
Like most other countries, Cambodia has many areas to improve upon in the spectrum of human development, including human rights, so this instance of calling attention to Thailand’s treatment of the Cambodian people should not be interpreted as a digression or distraction from the broader, ongoing debate and effort on Cambodia’s situation. Rather, it is a genuine fact that, particularly given the recent conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, Thailand’s treatment of Cambodian people deserves heightened attention today.
The circumstances surrounding this situation are not recent or unique: they are the same locations, same violations, and the same categories of perpetrators. The Thai military, being one category of perpetrators, has committed human rights violations against Cambodian people during multiple crises, conflicts and periods of instability.
For example, Cambodian refugees of the 1980s suffered as a result of policies and practices of the Thai military. This situation was well documented by a ‘Lawyers Committee for Human Rights’ in 1985. And it has been 40 years since these events (rising to the level of possible crimes) have occurred and yet nothing has been done to raise awareness.
And as we see similar events and allegations arise again in the most recent conflict along the Cambodian-Thai border, we are reminded that history can repeat itself and we bear the risk of further repetition until we commit to shining a light on such conduct and confronting it head-on.
So as we reflect on the regrettable resignation of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, we must be reminded that human rights is not circumscribed by borders, politics, circumstances or even time, and given recent events between Cambodia and Thailand, there is much more to do.
Youk Chhang
Director, Documentation Center of Cambodia
December 6, 2025