Public Statement by Migrant Working Group (MWG) "Stop violence against Cambodian migrant workers – Oppose the use of force against civilian population and protect human dignity of all lives

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 labor. 

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