How can the General Border Committee (GBC) verify minefield claims?

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The General Border Committee (GBC) Can Verify Minefield Claims Through Joint Technical Missions, Comprehensive Mapping, and Phased Clearance Operations

To address landmine disputes effectively, the General Border Committee (GBC) must initiate a joint technical verification mission involving neutral, internationally accredited demining experts. This initial step is crucial for establishing a shared factual basis before proceeding with further negotiations. Concurrently, the GBC should mandate the complete mapping of all suspected minefields, leveraging both Cambodian military records and Thai intelligence. These detailed maps are to be digitised and disseminated to both military forces and Asean’s Interim Monitoring Teams to guide clearance efforts and minimise civilian exposure. Finally, a structured, phased clearance schedule must be implemented, with a clear priority given to high-traffic civilian areas and agricultural land, followed by joint inspections to confirm the absence of active devices and the public disclosure of clearance data to foster transparency and trust.
Launch a Joint Technical Verification Mission

The immediate priority for the GBC is to establish a joint technical verification mission. This mission should involve inspections conducted by demining experts who are neutral and hold international accreditation. Organisations such as the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) or the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining are suitable candidates to provide this expertise. Such a neutral assessment is vital for moving beyond accusations and denials, providing an agreed-upon baseline of facts concerning the minefield claims.
Mandate Full Mapping and Digitisation of Suspected Minefields

A critical subsequent step involves the comprehensive mapping of all areas suspected of containing landmines. This process should draw upon military records held by Cambodia and intelligence gathered by Thailand. The resulting maps need to be digitised and then shared between the military forces of both nations, as well as with Asean’s Interim Monitoring Teams. This coordinated sharing of information is intended to facilitate more effective clearance operations and significantly reduce the risk of civilian contact with landmines.
Implement a Phased Clearance Schedule with Public Transparency

The GBC must establish a phased approach to mine clearance, with a strategic prioritisation of high-traffic civilian zones and farmlands. Following the completion of each clearance phase, joint inspections are to be conducted to verify that no active explosive devices remain. To build confidence and ensure accountability, the data generated from these clearance operations should be made public. This transparency is fundamental to building and maintaining trust between the involved parties and the affected communities.

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How can the General Border Committee (GBC) verify minefield claims?

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