Potential Hazards Arising from Abandoning Deceased Soldiers in Unattended Locales
In a recent statement, the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation has expressed grave concerns over the lack of action by the Cambodian government and military in recovering and properly handling the bodies of its soldiers killed in recent border clashes.
The centre outlines three major risks from leaving decomposing soldiers' bodies unretrieved in open areas: health hazards, environmental contamination, and psychological/social trauma.
- Health hazards: Decomposing bodies release fluids and airborne pathogens that pose serious health risks to surrounding communities. These fluids can contaminate both groundwater and surface water sources, endangering drinking water supplies. The resulting stench may cause respiratory distress and long-term health effects for those in the vicinity.
- Environmental contamination: Bodily fluids seep into the soil, introducing toxins that pollute water sources and degrade land quality. This contamination threatens local ecosystems, harming plant life and aquatic species. Environmental restoration efforts will face significant setbacks due to this pollution.
- Psychological and social trauma: The sight and smell of decaying bodies can cause widespread psychological distress and fear among civilians, especially witnesses and affected families. It strips the deceased and their families of dignity, violating humanitarian values and potentially fueling resentment and instability in communities.
Additionally, the centre criticized both the Cambodian government and military for their inaction, labeling it a serious violation of international humanitarian principles and the Geneva Conventions. The centre added that such neglect dishonors the Cambodian military and constitutes a profound affront to the dignity of its soldiers.
While the centre did not discuss any social risks explicitly, the disrespectful treatment of the dead could have a negative impact on the social fabric and community cohesion. For witnesses and nearby residents, especially those directly affected, the trauma can be lasting.
The Thai task force's statement serves as a call to action, urging the Cambodian authorities to promptly recover and properly handle the deceased soldiers in accordance with international humanitarian standards.
- General news: The international community is closely monitoring the ongoing situation at the Thailand-Cambodia border, with some media outlets reporting on the health, environmental, and mental-health risks associated with leaving the bodies of soldiers unattended.
- Crime and justice: The prolonged delay in retrieving and respectfully disposing of the bodies of the soldiers may also lead to allegations of war crimes and violations of human rights laws, both under international law and domestic Cambodian legislation.
- Environmental-science and health-and-wellness: Neglecting the retrieval and proper disposal of soldiers' bodies could affect the long-term health of the surrounding ecosystem and population, due to the potential spread of diseases, contamination of water sources, and adverse emotional impact on the community. These issues fall under the fields of environmental-science and health-and-wellness.
