Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand

12/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/07/2025 16:32

Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the sidelines of the 22nd Meeting of the States Parties of the APMBC in Geneva

Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the sidelines of the 22nd Meeting of the States Parties of the APMBC in Geneva

On 5 December 2025, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Mr. Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, on the occasion of his visit to Geneva to attend the 22nd Meeting of the States Parties of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention).

The Foreign Minister informed the High Commissioner of Thailand's position regarding the Thailand - Cambodia border situation and emphasized that Thailand has consistently upheld the principles of peace. However, Cambodia has shown no sincerity in addressing the issues and has itself employed anti-personnel mines, which resulted in 7 Thai soldiers stepping on landmines and becoming permanently disabled. Cambodia's action constitutes a violation of the Ottawa Convention and a setback in the implementation of Cambodia's commitments under the Joint Declaration (JD). He also assured that the 18 Prisoners of War (POWs) under Thailand's custody are being treated in accordance with international humanitarian law and that Thailand has facilitated visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the 18 soldiers.

Both sides welcomed the longstanding cooperation between Thailand and the OHCHR, including through Thailand's constructive role as a member of the Human Rights Council (HRC). The two sides also exchanged views on human rights issues of mutual importance, such as the situation in Myanmar, efforts to address online scam issues, for which the Foreign Minister has invited the High Commissioner to participate in the International Conference on the Global Partnership against Online Scams, to be hosted by Thailand on 17 - 18 December 2025 in Bangkok. The discussion also covered matters related to the OHCHR's organizational restructuring and the enhancement of the role of the OHCHR's Regional Office in Bangkok.

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