Thailand, Cambodia must avoid unprovoked firing towards civilians and troops, says agreed minutes of General Border Committee meeting
After the extraordinary meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) in Wisma Perwira here on Thursday (Aug 7), both sides have agreed to a ceasefire involving all weapons and attacks on both civilian and military areas.
According to the agreed minutes of the meeting, all sides must avoid unprovoked firing towards the others' positions and troops.
'In the event of an armed conflict, whether intentional or unintentional, both sides must promptly consult at the local level through existing bilateral mechanisms to prevent the situation from escalating along the entire border. Prolonged conflict would endanger the safety of civilians and soldiers on both sides and heighten tensions, thereby complicating efforts toward a joint resolution.
'Both sides agree to comply with international humanitarian law in the treatment of captured soldiers, including their living conditions, shelter, food, and medical care in case of injury.
'If one side wishes to bring in its own wounded soldiers or civilians who are not under the control of the other side for medical treatment, the receiving side may determine its response based on the capacity of its medical facilities, including available equipment, personnel, or medical ethics, on a case-by-case basis,' it said.
It said captured soldiers shall be immediately released and repatriated after the cessation of active hostilities in accordance with Article 118 of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949 and Rule 128 (A) of the Customary International Humanitarian Law.
Cambodia and Thailand have also committed to scheduling the GBC meeting in a month's time.
'Otherwise, an extraordinary GBC Meeting should be called immediately with the same format as this extraordinary GBC Meeting to discuss the ceasefire,' it said.
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to implement a ceasefire effective midnight on July 28 through a special meeting in Malaysia chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, that brought both Southeast Asian neighbours to the negotiating table following heightened tensions.
Tensions between the two countries peaked on May 28 when fighting broke out in the disputed Preah Vihear area, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
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