Original report from Phnom Penh
17 January 2008
The government should cancel an agreement with the US that prevents prosecution of US citizens at the International Criminal Court, a rights group said Thursday.
The head of the group Adhoc said at an ICC seminar in Phnom Penh that Cambodian support for the US—which is not a signatory to the court—could create national or regional instability.
“We think that if there is any charge with offence or crime against humanity, war crime or genocide, it is a policy that we have to send the criminals to the international criminal court,” said Adhoc President Thun Saray. “But if we have a bilateral agreement, we won’t be able to send the criminals to the ICC.” >
The court, established in 2002, prosecutes war crimes, crimes of aggression, genocide and crimes against humanity. US officials have cited a number of deficiencies in the court as reasons it will not join. Cambodia is one of the few court signatories in Southeast Asia.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said Cambodia “cannot walk backwards” and will follow its current policy.
The head of the group Adhoc said at an ICC seminar in Phnom Penh that Cambodian support for the US—which is not a signatory to the court—could create national or regional instability.
“We think that if there is any charge with offence or crime against humanity, war crime or genocide, it is a policy that we have to send the criminals to the international criminal court,” said Adhoc President Thun Saray. “But if we have a bilateral agreement, we won’t be able to send the criminals to the ICC.” >
The court, established in 2002, prosecutes war crimes, crimes of aggression, genocide and crimes against humanity. US officials have cited a number of deficiencies in the court as reasons it will not join. Cambodia is one of the few court signatories in Southeast Asia.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said Cambodia “cannot walk backwards” and will follow its current policy.
3 comments:
Of course the U.S a great deal of invested interest in not seeing its people prosecuted for Crimes against Humanity.
U.S alone has cause many behind the scene topplings of various international regimes cause instability. At times it supports even mass mudereres and even goes directly to stirring up directly behind the scene some of the worst human rights abuse in 20th century.
American and other people from powerful country like Britian, and China will be immune from their acts against humanity.
Who can forget U.S secret bombing operation in Cambodia? Orange Agents along border? Well obviously already forgotten, no body even talks about it.
Who armed Lon Nol, then backed Pol Pot, Assinate some few Latin American leaders? No, none of those people will be prosecuted.
China will not be prosecuted or question for its share in the Cambodian Genocide, U.S will not be question or call before the Tribunal, Russia and Vietnam will not be called to witess or testify it's connection.
The point is those who are powerful an have money are free from prosecution of any war crimes or connections they have. period.
Many countries are providing their support to assist Cambodia and try to change it from the rule of gun and the rule of a person to having the rule of law,
But DON'T FORGET, Those countires are both Killers and Helpers.
The United States, in the ideologial wars against the Communist Blocs of Soviet Union and China, killed Cambodian innocents by B-52 bombardment.
The three superpowers - US, the Former USSR and China - provided weapons of all kinds to khmer warring factions to kill one another just for the superpowers's ideological supremacy.
Unlike the 3 superpowers, Vietnam, the founder of the Communist Party of Indochina and satellite of the USSR and China, has always been silent killers of Cambodian nation.
The Vietnamese elements, who were planted in the Communist Khmer Rouge until now, repeatedly Killed and Helped, Killed and Helped Khmer people.
There are still Vietnamese elements staying within the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), a former Comminist Party of Cambodia.
CPP Top leaders, who used to serve the Khmer Rouge, are also the killers of Cambodians. They can escape justice because They know how to wash the blood from their hands.
They must be forced to face trials.
Black Cat
The United States arguably created Khmer Rouge -- now, they want to put an end to this?
Make your move carefully.
Don't be arrogant or ignorant. Or, your multi-million compound will be the hand of the dictatorial regime.
Yes, the government would love to get their hand on that U.S. Embassy compound.
Go back and review your strategy, but don't repeat your mistakes (Vietnam and Iraq 'and Iran?').
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