By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
23 June 2009
Robert Petit, the Canadian prosecutor for the Khmer Rouge tribunal, will resign his post, tell reporters Tuesday he was leaving Sept. 1.
“It is with the deepest regret that, for personal and family reasons, I must demit my position as International Co-prosecutor,” Petit wrote in a statement.
Petit has been at odds with his Cambodian counterpart, Chea Leang, over whether to indict more leaders of the Khmer Rouge, claiming more indictments could be prosecuted under the UN-backed court.
Chea Leang argues that more arrests could destabilize the country, echoing statements made in public by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“I remain convinced that Cambodia’s hopes for a better future lie, in part, on true accountability for crimes,” Petit said in his statement. “My staff and I have tried, within our jurisdiction, to contribute to that goal to the best of our abilities.”
The resignation comes in the middle of the trial of Kaing Kek Iev, or Duch, in the tribunal’s Case No. 001, and ahead of a trial for four other jailed leaders, Case No. 002. Further indictments would bring up a third case.
“We are concerned about the continuity of the court, especially for Case No. 002, which is under investigation, and how will go Case No. 003, proposed by Robert Petit,” said Long Panhavuth, a tribunal monitor for the Open Society Justice Initiative.
“It is with the deepest regret that, for personal and family reasons, I must demit my position as International Co-prosecutor,” Petit wrote in a statement.
Petit has been at odds with his Cambodian counterpart, Chea Leang, over whether to indict more leaders of the Khmer Rouge, claiming more indictments could be prosecuted under the UN-backed court.
Chea Leang argues that more arrests could destabilize the country, echoing statements made in public by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“I remain convinced that Cambodia’s hopes for a better future lie, in part, on true accountability for crimes,” Petit said in his statement. “My staff and I have tried, within our jurisdiction, to contribute to that goal to the best of our abilities.”
The resignation comes in the middle of the trial of Kaing Kek Iev, or Duch, in the tribunal’s Case No. 001, and ahead of a trial for four other jailed leaders, Case No. 002. Further indictments would bring up a third case.
“We are concerned about the continuity of the court, especially for Case No. 002, which is under investigation, and how will go Case No. 003, proposed by Robert Petit,” said Long Panhavuth, a tribunal monitor for the Open Society Justice Initiative.
8 comments:
Mr R.Petit
Thank you for your fair effort and merit of justice that you and your team is seeking for cambodians.
Justice and politics can't be mixed.That is why WE,cambodians want independent judicial system.
This lies to the king to take part, as prescribed in national constitution ,agreed in 1991.
Neang SA
How can you do that? It mess the system up when you come in and become uncommitted to your work. Think about the new time that have to be replaced, relearning all the materials from scratch!
I like your tough stance, but i see this backing down as very cowardly. But if it is truly family matter, my best hopes to you.
8:50AM,
You want him to step into a deep shit knowing that it's a deep shit? Put yourself into his shoes, brother! He's deserving appreciation, unlike some under-educated KR staff who only look into high salaries without a little piece of conscience.
Like our brother above rightfully said, justice system cannot be mixed with politics. What's the use of the court while it can do nothing but to follow the government?
He fucking don't know about Pol Pot regime that why he did not know how say nothing to all khmer people.
The Radido free asia never talking good to khmer people.The free asia always bad reporting from 1970 to 1975.The free asia never let khmer country growing up the free asia want khmer country going down.
Are you unhappy with Chea Leang and its government?
My friend 10.52AM
You are good or bad it is not up to someone who says it.
It's up to you to prove yourself. If you did not steal you won't feel guilty when someone says you steal. But if you have stolen, I believe that you would try to hide and shut someone up.
1:18pm,
You're absolutely right. How can anyone doing the right thing when you know there is a limit to what you can do? Best just quit. There is no used.
To Robert Petit, there is real passion and being truthful to the story. He'll never be able to achieve it with Chea Leang and the current government. No way! Also not with millions pouring in from China to try and stop it and other who wants to deliver the truth giving out pennies.
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