July 19 (Bloomberg) -- Prosecutors in Cambodia filed evidence of murder and torture in a first step to starting the trials of Khmer Rouge leaders on charges of genocide, the United Nations said.
Prosecutors have ``identified and submitted for investigation 25 distinct factual situations of murder, torture, forcible transfer, unlawful detention'' and forced labor that may constitute crimes, the UN said on its Web site.
The documents were filed yesterday in Phnom Penh by national and international judges forming what is known as the Co- Prosecutors of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. The trial process is costing $56.3 million, with the UN providing $43 million and Cambodia's government $13.3 million.
The Khmer Rouge, which ruled from 1975 until the regime was overthrown in 1979, drove people out of Cambodia's cities to work at forced-labor collective farms as it attempted to impose a communist agrarian state. An estimated 1.7 million people died during its rule.
Between five and 10 surviving Khmer Rouge leaders may be brought to trial in court proceedings beginning next year.
Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge leader, died in his jungle hideout in 1998. Seven officials still living were named in 2003 by the Washington-based Coalition for International Justice as the main leaders who should stand trial. They include Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea.
Ta Mok, the movement's military chief, died in July 2006. He was detained in a military prison after his capture in 1999.
Witness Testimony
The Co-Prosecutors provided more than 1,000 documents containing testimony from as many as 350 witnesses as well as a list of more than 40 undisturbed mass graves, the UN said.
``Under an agreement signed by the UN and Cambodia, the trial court and a Supreme Court within the Cambodian legal system will investigate those most responsible for crimes and serious violations of Cambodian and international law'' between 1975 and 1979, the UN said.
Vietnamese forces ended the rule of the Khmer Rouge when they captured the capital, Phnom Penh, in January 1979. Khmer Rouge fighters resisted in the west of the country until their final units surrendered to the Cambodian army 20 years later.
To contact the reporter on this story: Paul Tighe in Sydney at ptighe@bloomberg.net.
Prosecutors have ``identified and submitted for investigation 25 distinct factual situations of murder, torture, forcible transfer, unlawful detention'' and forced labor that may constitute crimes, the UN said on its Web site.
The documents were filed yesterday in Phnom Penh by national and international judges forming what is known as the Co- Prosecutors of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. The trial process is costing $56.3 million, with the UN providing $43 million and Cambodia's government $13.3 million.
The Khmer Rouge, which ruled from 1975 until the regime was overthrown in 1979, drove people out of Cambodia's cities to work at forced-labor collective farms as it attempted to impose a communist agrarian state. An estimated 1.7 million people died during its rule.
Between five and 10 surviving Khmer Rouge leaders may be brought to trial in court proceedings beginning next year.
Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge leader, died in his jungle hideout in 1998. Seven officials still living were named in 2003 by the Washington-based Coalition for International Justice as the main leaders who should stand trial. They include Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea.
Ta Mok, the movement's military chief, died in July 2006. He was detained in a military prison after his capture in 1999.
Witness Testimony
The Co-Prosecutors provided more than 1,000 documents containing testimony from as many as 350 witnesses as well as a list of more than 40 undisturbed mass graves, the UN said.
``Under an agreement signed by the UN and Cambodia, the trial court and a Supreme Court within the Cambodian legal system will investigate those most responsible for crimes and serious violations of Cambodian and international law'' between 1975 and 1979, the UN said.
Vietnamese forces ended the rule of the Khmer Rouge when they captured the capital, Phnom Penh, in January 1979. Khmer Rouge fighters resisted in the west of the country until their final units surrendered to the Cambodian army 20 years later.
To contact the reporter on this story: Paul Tighe in Sydney at ptighe@bloomberg.net.
1 comment:
I just hope this Khmer Rouge trial is not doing for the show or money but to find real justice for Cambodian people the victim!
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