Hun Sen, the president of Cambodia’s Senate, says the 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand have already made their sacrifice for the nation since the day they were taken into Thai custody.
Speaking at the opening of the 33rd General Assembly of Monks on November 17, Hun Sen publicly apologized to the soldiers’ families. He said he had regarded the group as having already died for the country, though not as victims of war.
Hun Sen questioned why Vitit Muntarbhorn, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, has remained silent about the detentions. He asked why international laws often cited by Muntarbhorn were not applied when Thai troops allegedly crossed into Cambodian territory to arrest the soldiers, while the rapporteur has frequently criticized Cambodia’s human rights situation.
Hun Sen also suggested Thailand is using various issues to gain leverage in its current border dispute with Cambodia, including the fate of the detained soldiers.
On November 17, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence renewed its call for Thailand to release the 18 soldiers safely and in compliance with international humanitarian law. The ministry noted they have now spent 111 days in Thai military custody.
A peace agreement signed on October 26 between Cambodia and Thailand included provisions for the release of war detainees. Former United States president Donald Trump, who attended the signing ceremony, also urged both sides to free the Cambodian soldiers.
However, Thai media outlet Khaosod reported on November 10 that Thai Defence Minister Nattapon Nakpanit said the planned November 12 release would be postponed. The delay followed a landmine explosion on November 10 that injured two Thai soldiers.
