Director of KRT administration will resign if found to be involved in corruption

By Neth Pheaktra
The Mekong Times
Monday, August 18, 2008

Sean Visoth, direc­tor of administra­tion at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT), has promised to resign if he is found to be involved in any corruption, said KRT spokesman Reach Sam­bath Friday.

Speaking at a meeting held to launch the KRT's new anti-corruption mech­anism, Sean Visoth told staff that he has tried to make the KRT a success for years, and if he is connect­ed to corruption within its ranks he would have to go. "If there is any corrup­tion in the KRT relating to me, I will resign." Sean Vi­soth said in front of Cam­bodian and foreign staff Friday. Reach Sambath said that the promise will strengthen the staff's re­solve to fight graft.

Youk Chhang, the director of the Documentation Cen­ter of Cambodia, said that Sean Visoth's promise is an important message to do nors. "This promise shows Sean Visoth's goodwill and desire to make the court proceed with honesty."

Kek Galabru, president of local human rights group Licadho, also wel­comed the statement but said it is not enough. "Corruption does not in­volve only one person. The promise is not enough. Investigations should be conducted to improve con­fidence," she said.

She said that corruption should not become an ob­stacle for Khmer Rouge victims anxiously awaiting justice.

"The KRT's efforts and the formulation of an anti-corruption mechanism confirm that the tribunal is paying close attention to the fight against corrup­tion," said Reach Sambath. "We are all focused primar­ily on justice for victims, because this trial affects humanity as a whole."

Extracted from the Mekong Times
Issue No. 135
Monday, August 18, 2008