We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are deeply concerned about the escalating armed conflict along the Cambodia–Thailand border. The intensifying violence has already resulted in unacceptable human suffering, including the tragic loss of life, displacement of civilians, and growing insecurity in affected communities, as well as threats to world heritage sites and the environment.

As civil society actors committed to promoting peace, good governance, labor rights, social justice, social development, health service delivery, democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, environmental protection, the rule of law, and other vital sectors, we firmly denounce the use of force and military confrontation. We call on all parties to urgently exercise restraint, prioritize diplomacy, and resolve differences through peaceful and lawful means.

In the spirit of regional solidarity, human dignity, and international cooperation, we jointly urge the following:

1. Immediate De-escalation and Ceasefire

We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and military actions along the border. All parties must refrain from actions that could further inflame tensions and endanger lives. Deescalation is crucial to preventing a broader humanitarian crisis and restoring stability for communities on both sides.

2. Commitment to Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution

We urge both governments to reopen channels for constructive, inclusive, and sustained dialogue—both bilaterally and through ASEAN and international mediation. Peaceful diplomacy, rooted in mutual respect, historical understanding, and a commitment to good neighborly relations, is the only durable solution.

3. Civilian Protection and Human Rights Respect

We appeal to the UN, ASEAN, and the broader international community to act swiftly and collaboratively to protect civilians and uphold human rights. To ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of affected populations—particularly women, children, the elderly, and world heritage sites—all parties must adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law.

To facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, protect displaced individuals, and prevent further civilian harm, we call on ASEAN and the UN to implement human rights monitoring mechanisms and engage with both governments. It is crucial for regional and global actors to ensure that military operations comply with the principles of necessity, distinction, and proportionality.

Additionally, we appeal to the UN Human Rights Council, OHCHR, ASEAN bodies, and relevant special procedures conduct prompt assessments and provide moral and technical support for rights protection and de-escalation. The rights and safety of those living along the border can only be secured, and lasting peace can only be achieved through a strong commitment to international legal standards and cooperative action.

4. Upholding the Rules-Based Order and International Laws

We urge all parties to fully uphold international law, including the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and all relevant treaties and international rulings, in addressing the ongoing territorial dispute. Armed confrontation must never replace the rule of law. We call on states to commit to a peaceful resolution through international legal mechanisms that ensure justice, fairness, human rights, and long-term peace and security. Now is the time to reinforce global norms, not undermine them. Let international law guide the path to peace.

5. Using International Legal Mechanisms to Resolve the Border Conflict

We call upon Thailand and Cambodia to reaffirm their commitment to peaceful conflict resolution by bringing unresolved border disputes before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other unbiased international tribunals. In contrast to violence, this would show leadership and a commitment to the rule of law.

6. Strengthening ASEAN’s Function in Preventing and Resolving Conflicts

We urge ASEAN to fulfill its role in facilitating mediation and fostering trust among member states. A proactive and principled ASEAN is essential to prevent further deterioration of peace and regional unity.

We call on governments and leaders to rise above provocation and nationalism, choosing instead the path of peace, legal order, and regional cooperation. The future of our people and generations to come depends on this decision.

7. Reaffirmation and Enforcement of the Paris Peace Agreements (PPA)

We urge all signatories of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements, especially Thailand, to reaffirm their commitments to these international treaties, particularly in relation to Cambodia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. These agreements are essential for maintaining peace and regional stability. Additionally, we call for the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism to oversee the resolution of border disputes and to ensure compliance with both the spirit and the letter of the Paris Peace Agreements.

8. Concrete Actions to Stop Violence, Fight Hatred, and Restore Peace, Trust, and Understanding Across Boundaries

We urge governments, ASEAN, civil society, the media, educators, religious leaders, international partners, and other relevant stakeholders to collaborate in ending violence, combating division, and promoting trust among people, societal healing, and peace. A task force should be established to monitor hate speech and disinformation while encouraging a “voice for peace” through creative messaging. Social media platforms must improve moderation to effectively tackle these issues. Relevant stakeholders should advocate for reconciliation, and governments must fairly enforce laws against incitement and discrimination.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected]

Issued on: 28 July 2025

Endorsed by:

1. 3S Rivers Protection Network (3SPN)
2. Action for Development Organization (AFD)
3. Action for Health Development (AHEAD)
4. Advocacy and Policy Institute (API)
5. Alliance for Conflict Transformation (ACT)
6. AMARA NGO
7. Anakot Kumar (AK)
8. Asian Hope Cambodia Organization
9. Association of Domestic Workers – ADW
10. Association to Support Vulnerable Women (ASVW)
11. Banteay Srei
12. Buddhism For Development
13. Buddhism for Social Development Action organizationn (BSDA)
14. Building Community Voices ( BCV)
15. Cambodia Family Support (CFS)
16. Cambodian Agency Development of Disability and the Poor (CADDP)
17. Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU)
18. Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR)
19. Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM)
20. Cambodian Children and Youth Movement for Child Rights (CCYMCR)
21. Cambodia Development People Life Association
22. Cambodian Food and Service Workers’ Federation (CFSWF)
23. Cambodian Health and Education for Community
24. Cambodian Human Rights Action Coalition (CHRAC)
25. Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC)
26. Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organization (CIPO)
27. Cambodian Institute for Democracy (CID)
28. Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA)
29. Cambodian Tourism Workers Union Federation (CTWUF)
30. Cambodian Women’s Development Association (CWDA)
31. Cambodian Youth Network Association (CYN)
32. Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL)
33. Chab Dai Coalition
34. Child Rights Coalition Cambodia (CRC-Cambodia)
35. Children and Women Development Center in Cambodia (CWDCC)
36. Chumkriel Language School
37. Coalition for Integrity and Social Accountability (CISA)
38. Coalition for Partnership in Democratic Development (CPDD)
39. Collective Union of Movement of Workers ( CUMW )
40. Committee For Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL)
41. Communication and media promotion organization (CMPO)
42. Community Council for Development Organization (CCDO)
43. Community Legal Education Center (CLEC)
44. Community Training Organization for Development (CTOD)
45. Cooperation for Alleviation of Poverty Organization
46. Creative Industries of Cambodia Association for Development and Advocacy
47. Dolphin School Support in Cambodia (DSSC)
48. Education For Rural Community Development Organization (ERCO)
49. Environmental Protection and Development Organizaton (EPDO)
50. Facilitation Association for Economy of Cooperatives (FAEC Cambodia)
51. Federation of Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC)
52. Federation union of free and Independent (FUFI)
53. First Step Cambodia
54. FOCUS on the Global South (FGS)
55. Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC)
56. Good Nieghbors Cambodia (GNC)
57. Help The Old Age and Most Vulnerable Organization(HOM)
58. Indigenous Rights Active Member (IRAM)
59. Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA)
60. Internation Center for Children and Family (CIFA)
61. Jesuit Service-Cambodia
62. Kamboo Project Organization
63. Kampuchea Women’s Welfare Action (KWWA)
64. Kdei Karuna Organization (KdK)
65. KHEMARA
66. Khmer Association For Development Of Countryside (KAFDOC)
67. Khmer New Generation Organization (KNGO)
68. Klahaan Organization
69. Kratie Disabled People’s Organization (KDPO)
70. Kumnit Kumar Organization (KKO)
71. Lotus Outreach Cambodia
72. Lutheran Hope Cambodia Organization (LHCO)
73. Mlup Baitong (MB)
74. Mlup Promviheathor Center Organazation
75. MoPoTsyo Patient Information Centre
76. Nak Akphiwath Sahakum (NAS)
77. NGO Education Partnership (NEP)
78. Neakpoan Organization for Development (NOD)
79. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP)
80. Operations Enfants du Cambodge (OEC)
81. Our Objective Organization (O.O.O)
82. Partnership For Environment and Development Organization.
83. People Center for Development and Peace (PDP-Center)
84. People’s Action for Inclusive Development
85. Phnom Srey Organization for Development (PSOD)
86. Ponleur Kumar (PK)
87. Rural Women’s Association for Agroecology (RWAA)
88. Sahmakum Teang Tnaut Organisation (STT)
89. Santi Sena Organization (SSO)
90. Save Vulnerable Cambodians (SVC)
91. SOS Children’s Villages Cambodia (SOS CV)
92. STAR Kampuchea
93. Street Children Assistance and Development Programme (SCADP)
94. Sunshine Cambodia Organization
95. The Affiliated Network for Social Accountability Cambodia (ANSA)
96. Transparency International Cambodia (TI Cambodia)
97. Urban Poor Women Development (UPWD)
98. VBNK
99. Village Support Group (VSG)
100. Vulnerable Children Assistance Organization (VCAO)
101. Women Peace Makers (WPM)
102. Youth For Peace (YFP)