Thai Army invites UN, Red Cross to inspect detained Cambodian soldiers
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Thai Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree on Aug 2 dismissed Cambodia’s claims of inhumane treatment of its captured soldiers as “distorted accusations”.
PHOTO: EPA
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The Royal Thai Army has extended an invitation to international bodies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to inspect Cambodian soldiers currently held in Thai custody.
This move comes in response to accusations from Cambodia that Thailand subjected its captured soldiers to inhumane treatment prior to the repatriation of some of them following a recent ceasefire agreement
Major-General Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the Thai Army, dismissed Cambodia’s claims on Aug 2 as “distorted accusations”.
He clarified that while a ceasefire had been abruptly implemented, the armed conflict has not yet genuinely concluded. Therefore, under international law, the military’s process of temporary detention remains permissible under the Geneva Conventions.
“The Royal Thai Army has a plan and is fully prepared to invite international organisations such as the ICRC to observe the well-being of the detained prisoners of war,” Maj-Gen Winthai said.
He affirmed that Thailand’s procedures are “completely within the framework” of the Geneva Conventions.
The invitation, he explained, is a proactive measure driven by an understanding that Cambodia might attempt to “distort this issue to undermine the credibility of the Thai military”.
Consequently, representatives from both the UNHCR and ICRC are welcome to conduct inspections through established international legal channels.
The Thai side, he stressed, is committed to conducting all its operations strictly under international rules. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
