Joint Statement of Cambodian and Thai Civil Society Organizations

5 May, 2011

In the occasion of gathering of ASEAN People Forum, Cambodian and ThaiCivil Society Organizations have viewed as follows:

The simmering tensions at the Cambodian-Thailand border have erupted, as soldiers from both sides have been exchanging shells and bullets. With continued fighting, villagers from border communities in both countries face great risks and are being displaced. As bilateral talks have proven ineffective, it is crucial for ASEAN leaders to play a leading role in ending the conflict.

The current border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has seriously caused the displacement of both Cambodian and Thai people, especially women and children who are living along the borders. Their human rights have been violated e.g. right to food,security, and education and so on. The degree of violence has continued to increase constantly since the early of February 2011. A number of civilian people of both countries have lost their lives and severely injured amongst whom are men, women and children. These people are facing their displacement because of this conflict that impedes their stability, health and especially right to safety. ASEAN member states and the rest of the world have a grave concerns on this armed conflict.

Cambodian and Thai civil society organizations whoparticipated in the Asean People Forum feel deeply sorrow for those affected, injured and lost of their lives by the clash over the border dispute. Therefore, we, the undersigned Cambodian and Thai and other civil society organizations from Asean region strongly urge the necessary actions to taken by ASEAN leaders as follows:

- ASEANshould pay more attention to the current suffering and worse situation of those displaced persons of both countries.

- ASEANshould make the cease-fire happen immediately

- ASEAN should deploy observers along the Cambodian-Thai border disputed area as soon as possible and promote ASEAN’s role to maintain the permanent cease-fire along the border of the two countries.

- We call ASEAN to support CSOs initiative activities in peace-building in our region.

Cambodian and ThaiCivil Society organizations who endorsed the statement as follows:

Further information, please contact:

- Mr. Thun Saray, CHRAC Chairman/President of ADHOC, saray@online.com.kh

- Mr. Suon Sareth, Executive Secretary, CHRAC, suon.sareth@yahoo.com

- Mr. Cheang Sokha, Executive Director, Youth Resource Development Program, director@yrdp.org

- Ms. Suntaree H. Saeng-ging, Coordinator, The Northeastern Women’s Network, ss.sunny@hotmail

- Ms. Somsri Hananuntasuk, Executive Director, Campaign Human Rights Committee, anfrel@anfrel.org

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Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC)
Address: # 9E0, St. 330, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kong III,
Khan. Chamcar Morn, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel/Fax: (855) 23 218 759, Tel: (855) 23 301 415, 305 609
E-mail: chrac@forum.org.kh or chracsecretariat@yahoo.com
Web: http://www.chrac.org