Cambodia commits war crimes in hospital strikes, child deaths

The Thai Public Health Minister has expressed deep anger and sorrow over the “inhumane attack” launched by Cambodian forces on Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province and on civilian areas in several other provinces along the border.

This act is not only a threat to national sovereignty but also a grave violation of human values, said Somsak Thepsutin in a statement.

He said the scale of the losses on July 24 is unacceptably immense, with attacks in multiple areas affecting 35 innocent civilians and resulting in 11 fatalities. Moreover, eight of our brave soldiers have been affected," he added.

The ministry strongly condemns the attacks on the hospital and the Thai people, which constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

Among the deceased were innocent children. “Harming children is a shameful and utterly unforgivable act,” he said.

He stressed that hospitals must always be safe havens. “The deliberate act of firing weapons at a medical facility is an act that crosses the line of humanity.”

Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: "Civilian hospitals… may in no circumstances be the object of attack, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict."

“Cambodia’s actions, therefore, constitute a grave breach and are unequivocally a war crime,” he said.

“Those who ordered and carried out these acts must be held personally responsible for this atrocious deed.”

Photos: Phanom Dongrak Hospital

The ministry calls on the Cambodian government to take responsibility, cease these actions immediately, and contribute to remedying all losses incurred.

“We demand that the nation of Cambodia immediately cease these war crimes and return to respecting the principles of peaceful coexistence.”

The minister also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

Earlier the Health ministry had ordered patients and medical personnel at five hospitals in Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces to be evacuated for their safety, after Cambodian forces shelled hospitals today.

As for hospitals in Buri Ram, Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, which are located along the Thai-Cambodian border, Somsak said that evacuations are not yet necessary. Nonetheless, if the situation deteriorates and they are put at risk, evacuation can be undertaken immediately.

The Phnom Dongrak Hospital in Surin was hit by a Cambodian military rocket today, injuring a number of people and damaging the building. The hospital has 30 beds. 19 of the in-patients have been evacuated to another hospital and 19 more were sent home.

Mental health crisis assessment and treatment teams have also been ordered to provide counselling services, both online and walk-in, to people who are suffering from stress or panic, said Somsak.

The minister also said he has instructed hospital administrators to coordinate closely with security officers in the evacuation of patients and their subsequent care at the shelters and to make sure that patients continue to receive their medication.