Khmer Rouge Victims May Get Justice From The Tribunal

Source: Kampuchea Thmey
By: Koh Keo
Posted date: 23-06-2008


Phnom Penh: The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) has scheduled to hold a press conference Tuesday in order to announce the funds that the international community contributes to the Khmer Rouge tribunal.

Reach Sambath, ECCC’s spokesman, told Kampuchea Thmey that the tribunal is going to conduct a press conference on Tuesday, June 24 in order to announce the funding of various countries to the Khmer Rouge tribunal.

“The conference is going to be held in the new office (near Psar Kab Ko) at 2 pm, with the participation of Mr. Sean Visoth and his deputy,” said Reach Sambath.

Reach Sambath, however, did not say about the countries which have provided new funds nor tell how much money has been given to the tribunal.

After all, the news about the funding is another new hope for the victims of the Democratic Kampuchea regime.

It should be noted that the tribunal to try former Khmer Rouge leaders commenced in 2006 and planned to spend approximately $56.3 million in 3 years. But a recent budget projection by foreign experts explains that the tribunal cannot complete its tasks in 3 years but 5 years and that it will need to spend over $100 million.

After the financial projection, the tribunal has faced a big budgetary crisis, and after a meeting to raise fund was held in New York, some countries have announced to inject more funds into the tribunal. However, the contributions made so far are inadequate.

Concerning the press conference on Tuesday, although the tribunal’s spokesman did not hint how much funds the tribunal would receive, it is believed the funds are enough for the tribunal to continue its process and that the victims could hope to get justice from the tribunal.

Recently, a US senior official has appealed for funding the Khmer Rouge tribunal while civil society organizations in Cambodia have requested the international community to provide more funds to the tribunal by claiming that “the commitment of the international community to continue funding the ECCC is very vital to fight against impunity, and to restore the rule of law in Cambodia.” Without new funding, the court could be closed and the attempt to seek justice for victims will fail.

Unofficial Translation-Extracted from Kampuchea Thmey, vol. 07, #1674, Sunday-Monday, June 22-23, 2008.
© 2005 All rights are reserved by Open Forum of Cambodia.