BANGKOK, Dec 31 – After 155 days of captivity, Thailand repatriated the 18 detained Cambodian soldiers to Cambodia at 10am after ceasefire was fully met for 72 hours following three weeks of bloody clashes that killed tens of people on both sides.
According to the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry, the repatriation was conducted as stipulated by Article 11 of the joint statement signed by both parties at the special General Border Committee (GBC) and in the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.
“The repatriation of the 18 Cambodian soldiers was undertaken as a demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building, as well as in adherence to international humanitarian principles.
“Thailand hopes that Cambodia will reciprocate this goodwill through its concrete actions to promote sustained peace between the two countries,” the ministry said in a statement.
Thailand, which viewed the soldiers as prisoners of war, said the repatriation was in line with the Third Geneva Convention related to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
They were captured by Thai soldiers after an invitation to a “friendly handshake” at the border when the July ceasefire was reached, with the Cambodian government repeatedly requesting their release since then.
The US, Malaysia and China’s peace efforts compelled Cambodia and Thailand to reach a ceasefire and de-escalate tensions since the renewed fighting erupted on December 7. The conflicting parties came to a 16-point consensus to lay down arms at the GBC meeting last week.
The Thai ministry said the men were said to have been treated in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Conventions and established humanitarian practices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which was allowed to visit on a regular basis and facilitate the sending and receiving of correspondence with their families.
Prior to the repatriation, the 18 Cambodian soldiers received medical examinations and were duly informed of their rights to ensure voluntary, safe and dignified return.
“The ICRC has also informed the families of these soldiers about their return. The ICRC and the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) were present to observe the repatriation,” it added.
