Khmer Rouge Tribunal's Achievements Threatened By Political Interference

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24th November 2009, 03:03pm - Views: 741





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MEDIA RELEASE PR37240


Khmer Rouge Tribunal's Achievements Threatened by Political Interference


NEW YORK, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --


    The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) is expected to successfully complete its

first trial this week when it hears closing arguments in the case of Kaing Guek Eav, alias "Duch," the former

chief of the notorious Toul Sleng prison. The trial has generally satisfied international standards of fairness

and due process. But that accomplishment could be undermined by the refusal of a Cambodian judge and

Cambodian government officials to participate in the investigation of the court's second case, according to a

report released today by the Open Society Justice Initiative (available at:


1120).


    "The conclusion of a fair trial in the Duch case is a landmark achievement," said James A. Goldston,

executive director of the Open Society Justice Initiative. "But it will be a hollow victory if political

interference prevents the court from pursuing additional cases and fulfilling its mandate as the evidence

warrants."


    The Justice Initiative's report calls on the UN and the court's donors to ensure the Cambodian government

does not attempt to interfere with judicial or prosecutorial decisions. Noting that the departure of the court's

international prosecutor in September left a critical void, the report urges that a qualified replacement be

appointed quickly, and argues for the immediate implementation of a long-delayed anticorruption program to

address kickback allegations that have dogged the court. The Duch trial and the lessons it provides for future

trials at the court are also examined.


    "The ECCC has demonstrated that it is capable of conducting a fair trial and has the potential to provide a

measure of justice and accountability to the people of Cambodia," said Goldston. "Now the government

of Cambodia and the court's donors must demonstrate their determination to ensure that the court fulfills that

potential."


    Recent Developments at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia: November 2009 is the

latest in a series of regular Justice Initiative publications offering news, analysis, and recommendations on the

tribunal. Previous reports and other background information on the court are available here:



    The Open Society Justice Initiative, an operational program of the Open Society Institute

(http://www.soros.org/), pursues law reform activities grounded in the protection of human rights, and

contributes to the development of legal capacity for open societies worldwide. The Justice Initiative combines

litigation, legal advocacy, technical assistance, and the dissemination of knowledge to secure advances in the

following priority areas: anticorruption, equality and citizenship, freedom of information and expression,

international justice, and national criminal justice. Its offices are in Abuja, Budapest, London, New York, and

Washington DC. www.justiceinitiative.org.


    SOURCE: Open Society Institute


    CONTACT: Amy Weil of Open Society Institute, 

             +1-212-548-0381,

             aweil@sorosny.org




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