Phnom Penh, 27 February 2012 — The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is deeply concerned about the use of disproportionate force against Cambodian citizens crossing the border to perform illicit logging activities in Thailand. Eleven Cambodian loggers have lost their lives in the last two months, in what may amount to extrajudicial killings. Cambodian authorities must urge Thailand to investigate these and previous cases and stop using disproportionate force against persons breaching logging or border crossing regulations.
The most recent victims, Van Khly (20), Soeun Siem (31) and Meng Ty (23), crossed the Cambodia-Thailand border on 22 February from Oddar Meanchey Province. They were shot dead by Thai soldiers three kilometers inside Thai territory, and their bodies were handed over to Cambodian authorities the following day. Fifteen Cambodian citizens were reported to have been killed in 2011, but in the first two months of 2012 the death toll has already reached eleven.
ADHOC is concerned that they may have been shot on sight, which would amount to extrajudicial killings. Thai authorities did not launch thorough investigations into these and previous cases. Investigations are necessary so that the facts can be clearly established and evidence can be provided to support allegations that Thai soldiers were fired upon first and that they were acting in retaliation.
ADHOC reminds Thai authorities that they are under obligation to use a proportionate level of force to impose Thai laws and regulations. The use of fire arms is only justified as a last resort, when law enforcement officials face direct threats to their lives. The obligation to respect the right to life entails an obligation to provide law enforcement and military officials with adequate training, as well as an obligation to punish those responsible for excessive use of force. Cambodian citizens illegally crossing the border or caught performing illicit logging activities must be arrested and tried or deported to Cambodia in accordance with Thai law.
Thai authorities must investigate all cases of shootings involving Thai soldiers. If Thai officials are found to have committed extrajudicial executions, they must be held to account. Lastly, ADHOC calls on Cambodian authorities to urge Thailand to investigate these cases and to stop using disproportionate force against Cambodian citizens breaching Thai logging or border crossing regulations.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ny Chakrya, Head of Monitoring Section at ADHOC: 011 274 959
Mr. Nicolas Agostini, Technical Assistant: 078 405 024
