Original report from Washington
31 October 2007
As trials for former Khmer Rouge leaders approach, the difference between civil and criminal cases will become an important distinction for victims, a tribunal expert said Wednesday.
Victims must know they can file a complaint to prosecutors for a criminal case and to the investigating judges for civil suits, including for compensation, said Hisham Mousar, a legal expert for the rights group Adhoc.
"Complaint to the co-prosecutor is easier, but [to issue] a complaint to the co-investigating judges is a tough one," he said. "A complaint to the prosecutor is just to help put more weight to the charges against a defendant."
For victims, civil cases can be more meaningful, but also more complicated, than criminal cases, he said. The tribunal had received only one civil case through Oct. 26, he said. But it had received more than 200 criminal complaints, from the Cham Muslim community.
Adhoc has received 10 civil complaints, with 10 more expected in November, he said. The group will review those cases and may refer them to the courts.
Meanwhile, the tribunal still has not done enough to educate the general public on how to file complaints, he said.
Victims should not expect to get money themselves following a civil case, but they could see money come into their communities, in the form of school projects, roads and other public infrastructure, he said. Individuals will be recognized by history as victims of the regime.
Victims must know they can file a complaint to prosecutors for a criminal case and to the investigating judges for civil suits, including for compensation, said Hisham Mousar, a legal expert for the rights group Adhoc.
"Complaint to the co-prosecutor is easier, but [to issue] a complaint to the co-investigating judges is a tough one," he said. "A complaint to the prosecutor is just to help put more weight to the charges against a defendant."
For victims, civil cases can be more meaningful, but also more complicated, than criminal cases, he said. The tribunal had received only one civil case through Oct. 26, he said. But it had received more than 200 criminal complaints, from the Cham Muslim community.
Adhoc has received 10 civil complaints, with 10 more expected in November, he said. The group will review those cases and may refer them to the courts.
Meanwhile, the tribunal still has not done enough to educate the general public on how to file complaints, he said.
Victims should not expect to get money themselves following a civil case, but they could see money come into their communities, in the form of school projects, roads and other public infrastructure, he said. Individuals will be recognized by history as victims of the regime.
6 comments:
Gentleman
We owe a lot to national and international human rights groups, for tiredless efforts to improve poor cambodians rights.
Is it not possible to set up an independent royal commission, to assist cambodians with abuse or corruption????? if Cambodia claimed to be democratic monarchy.
Is palace supposed to be heaven, and outside supposed to be hell for poor cambodians?????.
Neang SA
Yes, Neang SA,
Cambodia, being more shrewd, said neither “Heaven” nor “Hell” Not wishing to risk the liberty it had signed in their constitution with such difficulty, Cambodia preferred to keep its distance while extending the hand of their circle families friends to each of the two rival classes nation. " Sdach nung Montrey" "Ouknha nung Neak Kror"
That's the Cambodia were and is.
as always.
3:29, you can't stop corruption in a poor country. There is no poor country on this planet lacking corruption. Get it?
Dear 3:49 AM
May I remind you that we are born with nothing regardless of the background of social status you are from.These classification is not true, only cosmetic valuation.
It is changeable from time to time.
The real value is WISDOM that one can accquire for and poessesses, while we are still on earth.
ETHICS and scientific values are values added.
I certainly do not believe that corruption is always part of any poor country, neither agree that corruption is our culture.As a matter of fact corruption is making any country poor.Corruption means stealing national assets by the powerful.
As a nation any leaders have to look beyond our naked eyes,simply they do not tell you the truth.
Not long ago we were victims of KR, but why victimisation has to persist.Please consider.
Neang SA
7:43, What do you mean you don't believe corruption associated with poverty? LOL, that is totally ignorant of the fact. I known what you are thinking, and I am no difference. I mean if people practicing good moral, there will not be corruption regardless of their status, rich or poor. Am I on the right track? But regretfully, we are dreaming. That is not the reality. The truth is we are losing ground to temptation. Anyway, if you want to know about how poor and desperate people react to temptation in general, you need to physically test them out, instead of making assumption.
Now if you want to know about facts, here some data for you to examine:
http://www.finfacts.com/biz10/globalworldincomepercapita.htm
http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007
Note: Cambodia ranked 163rd in income /capita and 162nd in corruption which is scientifically to be expected. Furthermore, there is no poor country ranked in the top 10th or even 50th. And if you find one, we don't mind followed their foot step. Just tell us which country, okay?
correction:
Note: Cambodia ranked 163rd in income /capita and 162nd in corruption which is scientifically to be expected. Furthermore, there is no poor country ranked in the top 10th or even 50th in the corruption index. And if you find one, we don't mind followed their foot step. Just tell us which country, okay?
Also let me add that corruption is at all level, not just the top. Recently, didn't you read about teacher extorting moneys, and I need not to mention about our law enforcer....
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