On October 23, 1991, nineteen countries signed the historic Paris Peace Agreements, committing themselves to respect Cambodia’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and inviolability. Thirty-five years later, these commitments remain critically important amid Thai military incursions and occupation of Cambodian territory.
Under Article 2 of the Agreement Concerning the Sovereignty, Independence, Territorial Integrity and Inviolability, Neutrality and National Unity of Cambodia, the signatories, including Thailand, solemnly undertook to respect Cambodia’s territorial integrity and refrain from the threat or use of force against it.
Furthermore, Article 5 obliges the parties to consult in the event of violations or threats to Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with possible recourse to the UN Security Council and assistance from France and Indonesia, the co-chairs of the Paris Conference on Cambodia.
Although the Agreements do not define Cambodia’s precise borders, they reaffirm the principle that territorial disputes must be resolved peacefully, not through military force.
As Cambodia and the international community commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements, peaceful civic expression by Cambodian communities overseas can draw attention to these commitments and the humanitarian suffering caused by the border conflict.
Dr Eng Kokthay is director of the Cambodian Institute for Peace and Development. The views and opinions expressed are his own.