Thailand has accused Cambodia of war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law in attacking Thai civilian areas and discarding the bodies of its own soldiers on the battlefield.
The government’s Joint Press Centre on the Thailand-Cambodia situation said on Sunday that Thailand had evidence proving that Cambodian armed forces had long occupied Thai territory and also established bases and military arsenals in civilian areas, according to the Bangkok Post.
“That is considered using civilians as human shields, which violates international humanitarian law,” the joint press centre said.
Cambodia fired rockets and artillery shells which damaged civilian homes, infrastructure and communities in Thailand.
“Such attacks constitute direct attacks on civilians, which are war crimes under international law,” the joint press centre said.
In addition, there was systematic provocation, including armed troop movements, cross-border gunfire and violations of ceasefire lines.
They “constitute a threat to peace and security and undermine efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully", the joint press centre said.
The statement accused Cambodia of violating human rights by failing to retrieve bodies and treat the deceased with dignity. “Neglecting this duty is a violation of fundamental humanitarian principles,” it said.
“Thailand calls on the international community to consider the situation based on international humanitarian law and verifiable evidence, not on the distortion of information or propaganda,” the statement said.
