Cambodian prosecutor Chea Leang (L) and Sok An, her powerful CPP uncleNo more KR suspects: Cambodian prosecutor
Tuesday, 06 January 2009
Written by Brendan Brady
The Phnom Penh Post
The Extraordinary Chambers’ Chea Leang breaks her silence on why the court must not seek to bring more ex-KR leaders on the docket
PUTTING more former KR leaders on the docket would contradict the original mandate of the Khmer Rouge tribunal, overstretch its duration and budget, and undermine national stability and reconciliation, according to Cambodian co-prosecutor Chea Leang, whose reasoning against expanding the trials was made public for the first time on Monday.
Since late last year, Chea Leang and her international counterpart, Robert Petit, have been at loggerheads over whether to submit more suspects for investigation - beyond the five former Khmer Rouge leaders currently detained.
"She feels that this court should instead prioritise the trials of the five suspects already detained," especially since, according to her, the tribunal's mandate "envisioned only a small number of trials", said a statement from the UN-backed tribunal released Monday.
"She maintains that this Court's mandate can be adequately filled by the prosecution of the suspects already detained," it added.
Chea Leang, who could not be reached for comment Monday, had filed her arguments December 29 to the tribunal's Pre-Trial Chamber in response to a "statement of disagreement" lodged earlier in the month by Petit after the pair failed to agree on his proposal to add additional suspects. While Petit has refused to confirm any figures, sources close to the court say that six additional former regime members have been targeted.
"There is a difference in our interpretation of what this court is about," Petit told the Post Monday, although he insisted the disagreement has not delayed ongoing investigations at the tribunal.
Expanding the docket would help the court fulfill its mandate, he said, adding: "The stability of any society can only be enhanced by improved accountability".
Petit acknowledged that expanding the docket presented "legitimate" financial concerns but was confident the move "would be supported by donors".
Long Panhavuth, program coordinator for the legal watchdog Cambodian Justice Initiative, said, "Expanding the number of suspects will improve the integrity and independence of the court, and that will attract more donor funds".
The group has urged the Cambodian side of the court to demonstrate its independence by allowing further investigation in the face of government fears that a wider roundup could expose current leaders to scrutiny.
PUTTING more former KR leaders on the docket would contradict the original mandate of the Khmer Rouge tribunal, overstretch its duration and budget, and undermine national stability and reconciliation, according to Cambodian co-prosecutor Chea Leang, whose reasoning against expanding the trials was made public for the first time on Monday.
Since late last year, Chea Leang and her international counterpart, Robert Petit, have been at loggerheads over whether to submit more suspects for investigation - beyond the five former Khmer Rouge leaders currently detained.
"She feels that this court should instead prioritise the trials of the five suspects already detained," especially since, according to her, the tribunal's mandate "envisioned only a small number of trials", said a statement from the UN-backed tribunal released Monday.
"She maintains that this Court's mandate can be adequately filled by the prosecution of the suspects already detained," it added.
Chea Leang, who could not be reached for comment Monday, had filed her arguments December 29 to the tribunal's Pre-Trial Chamber in response to a "statement of disagreement" lodged earlier in the month by Petit after the pair failed to agree on his proposal to add additional suspects. While Petit has refused to confirm any figures, sources close to the court say that six additional former regime members have been targeted.
"There is a difference in our interpretation of what this court is about," Petit told the Post Monday, although he insisted the disagreement has not delayed ongoing investigations at the tribunal.
Expanding the docket would help the court fulfill its mandate, he said, adding: "The stability of any society can only be enhanced by improved accountability".
Petit acknowledged that expanding the docket presented "legitimate" financial concerns but was confident the move "would be supported by donors".
Long Panhavuth, program coordinator for the legal watchdog Cambodian Justice Initiative, said, "Expanding the number of suspects will improve the integrity and independence of the court, and that will attract more donor funds".
The group has urged the Cambodian side of the court to demonstrate its independence by allowing further investigation in the face of government fears that a wider roundup could expose current leaders to scrutiny.
16 comments:
forget this trial, it brings no meaning to me. I should spend free time with my family and firends and ejoy palm vine (ទឹកត្នោតជូរ) with small dry fish or frog.
skn
These high-ranking officials often express what they want to do using the term "The Cambodian People" as a shield.
To them, if we the people say nothing they take it that we totally agree with them without questions.
Now, they are grabbing your lands. Next, if you still say nothing they may be grabbing your palm wine and dried fish snacks!
god, a country rule by pigs, murderers and sva prei, that is
ur very right about that 5 16 pm. LOL. this is one of the most hypocrite current government and how they mind work.
Chea Leang lost her role at the ECCC, she is prosecutor, not financer, so the concern about time and money is not her problem. I doubt her idea is hers, not from her uncle. what is the objective of this court? for justice, security stability, or conciliation? What she argues is similar reasons government raised in negotiation with UN which prolonged court establishment.
It will under mind her uncle'sass. that's for sure and may be more in the current governemnt.
Mon dieu ne transforme pas la cour comme l'arene pour le combat des coqs
Ms.Chea Leang reasoning is so shallow.She is there to serve and shield Hanoi from world scrutiny.
More accused arrest will reveal Hanoi's genocide.
នៅក្នុងសង្គមខ្មែរ ប្រហែលជាគ្មានអាគ្រាក់ៗណាមួយឡើ
យដែលចេះស្រឡាញ់ភាពត្រឹមត្រូវ(យុត្តិធម៌) នឹង
ប្រហែលមានសុទ្ធតែខ្មែរពណ៌ភ្លើងហើយ
Our khmer need to learn more and open mind to learn from other culture, and
create more hospital and doctores
Mother fucker is a jock!
How can they let Amouy ( CHINESE GIRLD) stand on find justice that the fucking criminal was supported by the fucking communist Chinese and the motherfucker Vietnamese!
KHMERE was the victime and still is!
Dont you ever know that your life and country is ruled and dominated by these Chinese viet pigs and murderers long ago
Why UN hires this dumbmy lady named Chea Leang in the first place? They should get rid off her now because she works for Hun Sen. She doesn't work for the court and she will be the obstacle for the KR tribunal. She is the undercover for Hun Sen and her uncle, Sok An. Is it the court supposed to be unbias? The rule of the court is to investigate the jury or prosecutor who might be working for other parties or lean to one side. If that happens, the court should dismiss that person such as in this case of Chea Leang.
SIHAKNUK,MONIQUEand HUn SEN should be on the stand too to be fair and balance.
Ah Scam Ranxy will be accountable if the ECCC failed.
3:09,
What you meant is..your whore mother will be hold for an accounttable? Look, your whore mother must get off the street in SVY PAK for good!
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