Thursday, September 16, 2010

French judge quits Khmer Rouge tribunal

Khmer Rouge tribunal investigating judge Marcel Lemonde, shown in February 2009, has stirred controversy by requesting that six senior government officials appear as witnesses at the court. (Photo: AFP)

16/09/2010
Expatica.com

One of the two co-investigating judges of Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes court, Frenchman Marcel Lemonde, said Thursday he was quitting his job at the tribunal to focus on other projects.

The announcement came as the court indicted four former senior Khmer Rouge leaders for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Lemonde said he had joined the tribunal in 2006, intending to stay for just three years but he had ended up serving for four.

He said he was proud with what he had achieved in his role for the tribunal, despite frequent difficulties, but that he was now "passing the baton to someone else". He plans to leave in early December.

"I have other longstanding plans that I cannot now ignore. I have informed (co-investigating) judge You Bunleng and my colleagues and so I would like to move on with my other plans."

Bunleng said his colleague's departure had not surprised him because he always knew Lemonde would only stay for a limited number of years.

He thanked the Frenchman for his commitment and for staying "with us until the closing order was finalised."

He added that he would work with Lemonde's successor to decide how to proceed with a possible third case against other former Khmer Rouge cadres.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Judges,

The 3rd case should be pushed through if the justice is searched for and prevailed for those 1.7 million victims as well as those who are remained members of the victims' families.

Anonymous said...

Did Hun Sen clan threaten your security like he did with Robert Petite?

This is wrong! Just when we Cambodians feel we might have a judge who will take our suffering into consideration for finding out facts and calling out who responsible he got to quit!

Yeah now who will take on the baton? No one can just step in after you done over 3 years of investigation, that is a load of information to shift over!

Anonymous said...

I hope these guy that quits will write a book and explain the truth behind it.

The world must know the truth and the forces of evil behind it.

Anonymous said...

Is there a judge out there who dare to sit in the chamber and preside over this case? I think not!
Hun Sen made it clear that the war will start if you continue to tried these top Khmer Rouge official.
Hun Sen afraid that somwhere out there that he will be implicated to the atrocity as well.

Anonymous said...

What's a fucking jog if ah Kwack can controle the court!!!!

Anonymous said...

This kind of resignation means a lot in democratic countries like Japon, Taiwan, USA, Australia, Canada..
But in Cambodia, a KIGNDOM OF BANANA, it means nothing..
Monkeys don't speak the same language as human.

Anonymous said...

The UN will find someone that is as qualified as Mr. Lemond. Give it to the American. They have plenty and there is no doubt that he/she will be the best.

Anonymous said...

The Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime and the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime are responsible for killing almost two million innocent Khmer peoples and counting.

Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime's leaders and members:
Pol Pot
Nuon Chea
Ieng Sary
Ta Mok
Khieu Samphan
Son Sen
Ieng Thearith
Kaing Guek Eav aka Samak Mith Duch
Chea Sim
Heng Samrin
Hor Namhong aka Samak Mith Yaem
Keat Chhon
Ouk Bunchhoeun
Sim Ka aka Samak Mith Muth
Hun Sen...

Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime's leaders and members:
Hun Sen
Chea Sim
Heng Samrin
Hor Namhong aka Samak Mith Yaem
Keat Chhon
Ouk Bunchhoeun
Sim Ka aka Samak Mith Muth...

Note:
Hun Sen,
Chea Sim,
Heng Samrin,
Hor Namhong aka Samak Mith Yaem,
Keat Chhon,
Ouk Bunchhoeun and
Sim Ka aka Samak Mith Muth... are also leaders and member of the Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime.

The current Cambodian government are run by Khmer Rouges.

Anonymous said...

Her tired of Corruptions. Khmer official are so stupid. UN trying to help out the country. but official is taking advantage of the cash and corruption. Dont dont want to do shit there...it a shit hole to me.....

Anonymous said...

The KR Tribunal needs a powerful judges from a powerful country like U.S.A to deal with this evil place, Cambodia. Someone will has to break the ice.

Anonymous said...

Got 19 years out of Duch. That's bullsh.t. May be it's best that he leaves.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Lemond has to listen too much to the Hun Sen. He can't take it anymore and it's quiet embarrassing for him give only 19 years to a criminal who was responsible for 14,000 lives and more. It was a pure sick joke. He needed to leave.