HE Pa Ponnarada, CHRC Member, Participated in the 7th ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue and the 13th ASEAN Human Rights Declaration Anniversary Celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia
HE Pa Ponnarada, CHRC Member, Participated in the 7th ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue and the 13th ASEAN Human Rights Declaration Anniversary Celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta: Assigned by HE Keo Remy, Senior Minister, President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), HE Pa Ponnarada, CHRC member, took part in the 7th ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue and the 13th ASEAN Human Rights Declaration Anniversary Celebration, which took place on 17-18 November 2025, at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, with the participation of representatives of ASEAN countries – AICHR, representatives of ASEAN countries, the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, and civil society organisations.
HE Pa Ponnarada highlighted the Royal Government of Cambodia’s efforts to promote and protect human rights, the environment, business, and the right to development, through legal frameworks, policies, standards and other mechanisms. On that occasion, he mentioned the incident of 12 November 2025, during which Thai troops fired upon innocent Cambodian people on Cambodian territory, resulting in one fatality and three people to be wounded. He considered this a barbaric act, a serious violation of human rights, contrary to international law. In particular, the actions of the Thai military violate the Joint Statement dated 26 October 2025 between Cambodia and Thailand, with HE Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, and HE Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, as witnesses. At the same time, he requested that (1) the Thai side cease all activities to escalate tensions and fully implement the Joint Statement; (2) the Thai side immediately and unconditionally release the 18 Cambodian soldiers; and (3) the regional and international community launch a joint, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into this incident and ensure that those who authorised or perpetrated illegal acts are held accountable.
The 7th ASEAN Dialogue aims to provide a constructive platform for ASEAN member states and relevant parties so that [they can] share experiences, good practices, and insights to promote and protect human rights in the region, while also tackling challenges.
