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Pursuant to the violent conflict at the Thai-Cambodian border and the reported clashes
between military forces of the two countries and how Thai civilians in certain areas have been
affected by the Cambodia’s armed forces’ offensive, the Migrant Working Group (MWG)
offers our deepest condolences to the affected families and would like to make our stand clear
that “Migrant Working Group (MWG) does not agree with the use of violence against
civilians regardless of their affiliation.” The use of armed or military forces against
unarmed civilians leads to no solution. Rather, it will only exacerbate the pain and instigate
the divisiveness among people of the two nations. We reiterate that many Cambodian
migrant workers who live and work in Thailand have nothing to do with the decisions
made by the Cambodia’s armed forces or government. They are simply ordinary citizens
who came to work diligently in Thailand to provide for their families and want to live here
peacefully. Meanwhile, if the workers feel unsafe, they may decide to quit their jobs or return
to their country. This will leave the Thai industrial sector to face a sudden shortage of labour.
In the past few days, MWG has received many reports about the Cambodian migrant workers
being subjected to intimidation, physical assault, and discrimination in certain sectors in Thai
society. The situation is quite concerning. MWG therefore would like to share our concern
and plead to all sectors in society as follows;
1 . We do not agree with the use of any form violence against civilian population
including the use of arms against people living in the border area, or the physical attack
against migrant workers in urban area, both of which constitute a breach of basic human
rights and has no place in a society which respects humanity.
2. Distinguish between the “people” and the “power that be”, as migrant workers do
not represent either the Cambodia’s armed forces or government. By physically attacking
them, it would create repetitive injustice and would only perpetuate the cycle of hatred.
3. May the Thai state take the following actions promptly;
3.1 Issue statements to affirm in principle the protection of the people and the migrant
workers, and put in place measures to effectively enforce the laws to deal with the
arising cases of physical attack against the people and migrant workers in
Thailand
3.2 Monitor, review and take legal action against those who inflict violence against
the people and migrant workers
3.3 Institute grievance mechanisms to receive complaints from affected workers.
4. Seek cooperation from the media and the public to ensure news reporting and
communication with responsibility and refrain from perpetuating discourses that harbor
hatred or racial stereotype
MWG opposes the use of military forces against civilians in both countries. All people in
Thailand, Thai or Cambodian, should equally afford protection based on human rights
and laws. And let’s hope this conflict shall not escalate and lead to the heightened hatred
among people of the two nations. Rather, this should serve as a turning point to prompt us
to explore ways to live peacefully together based on mutual understanding and human
dignity.
With respect,
Migrant Working Group (MWG)
25 July 2025
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