The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) has appealed to Sweden to reconsider its planned sale of Gripen fighter jets to Thailand, citing concerns over potential human rights violations and regional security risks.
According to the Khmer Times, CHRC president Keo Ramy sent an official letter on 28 August to Fredrik Malmberg, Director of the Swedish Institute for Human Rights, urging Sweden to conduct a thorough review of the Gripen (E/F) fighter jet deal.
In the letter, Keo Ramy praised Sweden’s longstanding reputation for promoting democracy, peace and human rights but warned that approving the sale could undermine this role. He argued that Thai military aircraft had previously been used in ways that harmed Cambodian civilians and that new transfers could “pose a grave risk of the aircraft being used in acts of aggression against Cambodia.”
The CHRC asked Sweden to strongly oppose the sale under current circumstances, to carry out a transparent human rights–based risk assessment, and to support peaceful solutions to ongoing Cambodia–Thailand border disputes.
The committee also linked the issue to the detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers, who it said are being held unlawfully in Thai custody. It called on Sweden to use its influence to push for their release.
Sweden has not yet publicly responded to the appeal.
Source: Khmer Times
The Jerusalem Post was bragging how Israeli weapons sold to Thailand was destroying Cambodia. Does Sweden really want to be seen in the same category as Israel??