Khmer Rouge victims participate in 'historic day' at UN-backed tribunal
4 February 2008 - Cambodians who suffered under the rule of the Khmer Rouge participated for the first time today in the United Nations-backed tribunal trying the movement's leaders.
Their participation, through their lawyers, was described by the tribunal's Victims Unit as "a historical day in international criminal law."
"To date, no international or hybrid tribunal mandated to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide has involved victims as civil parties, giving them full procedural rights," the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) Victims Unit said.
Under the tribunal's rules, victims of crimes committed under the rule of the Khmer Rouge can play an active role in the court's proceedings as civil parties, with rights including participation in investigations, representation by a lawyer, the ability to call witnesses and question the accused, and to claim reparations for the harm they suffered.
Today's hearing on the appeal by former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea (aka Brother Number Two) against his provisional detention was adjourned in response to a request by a defence lawyer. A decision on the date of its resumption will be announced on 6 February.
Nuon Chea faces charges of having planned and ordered the murder, torture and enslavement of civilians in the late 1970s.
Under an agreement signed by the UN and Cambodia, the ECCC was set up as an independent court using a mixture of Cambodian staff and judges and foreign personnel. It is designated to try those deemed most responsible for crimes and serious violations of Cambodian and international law between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979.
Their participation, through their lawyers, was described by the tribunal's Victims Unit as "a historical day in international criminal law."
"To date, no international or hybrid tribunal mandated to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide has involved victims as civil parties, giving them full procedural rights," the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) Victims Unit said.
Under the tribunal's rules, victims of crimes committed under the rule of the Khmer Rouge can play an active role in the court's proceedings as civil parties, with rights including participation in investigations, representation by a lawyer, the ability to call witnesses and question the accused, and to claim reparations for the harm they suffered.
Today's hearing on the appeal by former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea (aka Brother Number Two) against his provisional detention was adjourned in response to a request by a defence lawyer. A decision on the date of its resumption will be announced on 6 February.
Nuon Chea faces charges of having planned and ordered the murder, torture and enslavement of civilians in the late 1970s.
Under an agreement signed by the UN and Cambodia, the ECCC was set up as an independent court using a mixture of Cambodian staff and judges and foreign personnel. It is designated to try those deemed most responsible for crimes and serious violations of Cambodian and international law between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979.
2 comments:
Did Cambodia have a human rights day? I think Cambodia ought to have one officially, to remind every administration to protect the rights of its citizens.
The vast majority survivors of the Khmer Rouge ideology living abroad, included myselft, 45, are reluntant to discuss our past indelible experiences and memories with our immediate relatives during the genocidal regime. I personally have despair of the UN-backed Khmer Rouge genocide tribunal, because most audacious and arbitrary murderers are not living in seclusion, insteat they are living in non-hostile environment, enjoying the luxuries among the society. I am talking about the ones that had committed the astrocity. And I am not less indignat over the tribunal proceedings. In retrospect, the genocide tribunal have been impeded by so many issues, despite the international pressures and suggestions.
I can assure that those detained suspects will unable to see the court verdict of their charges due to their deteriorated health. Subsequently, the trial will not be complete as inticipated.
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