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Phnom Penh asked the Thai government to clarify the events and to bring the culprits to justice in a case where a 16-year-old Cambodian teenager was burnt alive by Thai soldiers last week in Oddar Meanchey province.

The Cambodian government asks Bangkok to launch an investigation to shed light on the murder of Yon Rith, a 16-year-old teenager, who was arrested and burnt live by Thai soldiers last week in Oddar Meanchey province, along the Thai border. In a diplomatic note, the Cambodian ministry of Foreign Affairs asked that “those who committed these cruelty acts be brought to justice.”

“The acts constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law,” the ministry insisted while recalling its inadequateness towards the bilateral cooperation agreements concluded last 4-5 August in Bangkok.

On Friday 11 September, Cambodian villagers were shot at by Thai soldiers near the Thai border while they were “allegedly” logging wood in an illegal zone, the Oddar Meanchey provincial authorities indicated. Two teenagers were shot: Mao Kleung was able to escape, but Yon Rith was not so lucky.

Tuesday 15 September 2009
By P.M.
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr