PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) -- Freeing Veera Somkwamkid last week is a new example of how Cambodian authorities respect the rights of Thai migrants in Cambodia.
Many Thais have illegally entered Cambodia, some of whom did so even amid the high tension between the militaries of the two countries, while not a single Thai has been reportedly shot or attacked by Cambodian armed forces. Therefore, Thai army should soften their behavior in response and stop shooting Khmer people in whatever circumstance.
According to the statement of Thai acting Foreign Minister during his visit to Cambodia last week, there will be no more firing at Khmer people who illegally enter Thailand to find woods or other forest products. However, in retrospective, such promise was made by Thai officials many times already but the shooting remains.
Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs used to send complaint to that of Thailand in order to bring those committing the crimes to court and urged Thai army to stop their violent act. Thai authorities, however, appeared indifferent towards what their army did. Hopefully, this last promise should be the last try to put their respect for human rights to the test.
The previous abrupt evacuation of illegal migrant workers in such violent way was another evidence of Bangkok authorities’ violation of human rights. The military government, realizing their mistake and the impact it has on their economy, immediately sent their representatives to meet and console the Cambodian government.
The cease of killing Cambodian migrant workers is one of the promises made by Thai acting Foreign Minister. If the promises are true and some forms of enforcements put into effect to support them, then there will be a new page of history for Thailand to respect Khmer people’ human rights. Thai government, in fact, has all the rights to arrest illegal Cambodian migrant workers and take legitimate measures against them, but not shoot and kill them.
As a civilized country in South-East Asia, Thailand should follow the good example of its neighboring Cambodia. Although Cambodia is a developing country, recovering from civil war and genocide, it has shown a high level of human rights adherence, especially towards its neighbor’s Thai migrants. Obviously, even if some Thai people illegally enter Cambodia, with or without bad intentions, the Cambodian government has never displayed a single act of violence.
They were sent to the Court and punished in accord with what we did in front of justice. Even the two Thai people who secretly got into Cambodian border in Preah Vihear province amid the confrontation of the two nations’ armed forces, the two convicts were not shot and instead arrested under the circumstance where their human rights are fully reserved and respected. They were then released consecutively following mediation from the Thai counterpart.
This is a great example set by Cambodia in respecting the rights of migrants, which Thailand should learn from. All forms of violence and cruelty should be stopped in this 21st century, especially for those claiming to be civilized countries. It is quite disappointing that the kindness of Cambodia has been overlooked and exploited by its neighbor.
This is also a problem which Khmer leaders should pay attention to in order to improve its diplomatic policy and strategy when dealing with our neighbors. Does Thailand genuinely intend to end its history of disregarding the lives of Khmer migrants as promised? We shall wait and see as time will unfold the truth.
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