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| Judge Laurent Kasper-Ansermet was appointed as Reserve Co-Investigating Judge on 1 December 2010. (Photo: Courtesy of ECCC) |
AFP News
The United Nations on Friday protested at Cambodia's rejection of a Swiss judge to the international Khmer Rouge tribunal who has paralyzed probes into two cases opposed by the government.
Cambodia is in "breach" of an accord with the UN setting up the international tribunal into the Khmer Rouges crimes of the 1970s in which up to two million people died, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters.
"This is a matter of serious concern," stated Nesirky who said the Cambodian government had formally notified UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday of its refusal to name Laurent Kasper-Ansermet of Switzerland as co-investigating judge.
"The United Nations continues to support Judge Kasper-Ansermet and Cambodia should take immediate steps to appoint him as international co-investigating judge," the spokesman said.
The tribunal, officially known as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, was set up with one Cambodian investigating judge and one foreign judge. The previous German judge resigned in October following government opposition to further prosecutions linked to the 1975-1979 regime.
Kasper-Ansermet was the official reserve judge and Nesirky stressed that the 2003 accord setting up the court "states unequivocally" that if there is a vacancy the person appointed must be the reserve judge.
The Cambodian government "raised ethical concerns" about Kasper-Ansermet in November, said Nesirky.
"The United Nations thoroughly reviewed the concerns, determined that they were unfounded, and requested that the Supreme Council of the Magistracy proceed with his appointment."
David Scheffer, an American named as special expert on UN assistance to the Cambodia trials, is travelling to Phnom Penh for talks with the government and court officials, the spokesman added.
Kasper-Ansermet has been blocked since his arrival in Phnom Penh in December. The supreme council, the government body charged with rubber-stamping the nomination, has not met.
And the Cambodian co-judge You Bunleng has publicly refused to work with the Swiss. Kasper-Ansermet has in turn accused You Bunleng of blocking "important" information about the two new cases involving five ex-Khmer Rouge members accused of crimes against humanity.
The tribunal has so far completed just one trial. A second is underway but risks being overshadowed by the new controversy.
5 comments:
KHMER LIVING UNDER AH HUN SEN'S CPP IS GROUNDLESS = KHMER ROUGE REGIME 2, CREATED BY VIETCONG<1950-TODAY>!!!,...KHMER AKMATAK, PHNOM PENH.
Nothing indepedent from this ECCC.
Can we call the following is independent?
Hun Sen always interfere into this ECCC by saying no Cases 003 and 004 if international prosecutor go ahead with Case 003 and 004 they must pack up their bags and leave Cambodia as we all heard loud and clear.
And strong oppose of the appointment of the reserve co-investigating judge recently.
Nothing independent from this ECCC because this is :
US-Hanoi ECCC in Cambodia.
The United Nations needs to show it's teeth when dealing with genocide and crimes against humanity.
Why rejecting the United Nations appointed judge Mr. kasper-Ansermet?
Do they have something to hide?
Stay put and firm United Nations.
Of course the companions of the January 7, 1979 was as
executives of the organization of the Khmer Rouge, so it had
transformed and manipulated the Khmer Rouge Tribunal 001 in theater and achive 3 great success: 1. The Khmer Rouge Tribunal much in late and took too long. 2.Number One of the hight responsable was not summoned to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. 3. It changes the real name (Kaing Kek Ev)
by calling (Duch)that the organization of the Khmer Rouge
invented a long time ago to deceive the public and
insult the people who are called first or last name (Duch)
for example, the painter (Duch Sideum), the master of music
(Sok Duch) of the Takeov province, the grandparents of Miss Seng Theary
(Duch Som) ect ... broadcast by the global media including Radio France Internationale (RFI & FRA) and often speaking by journalists (Jean François Tan, Kouch kuntheara,Pen Bunna ...).
Paris V.January7,2012.
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