Thursday, November 15, 2007
Opinion sent to The International Herald Tribune (France)
The arrest of another two former Khmer Rouge leaders represents significant progress for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia in seeking justice for almost two million Cambodians who perished under the Khmer Rouge, ("Ex-official of Khmer Rouge and wife arrested," Nov. 12). But will the court be able to find true justice for the victims?
In order to draw a complete picture of the chain of command and responsibilities in the genocide, all the key members of the regime must be summoned to explain their actions.
We are not sure if the courts will be brave enough to call former Khmer Rouge ministers, advisers, zone and district chiefs and other commanders who are serving in the current government to testify in the court.
It may be impossible. The Khmer Rouge Tribunal Law seems to have built a safety fence around these people. The courts will only try "the most senior and most responsible leaders" of the Khmer Rouge.
This may mean that the courts can only try a handful of Khmer Rouge leaders. like Brother Number 2, Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge head of state, Khieu Samphan, Foreign Minister Ieng Sary and Social Minister Ieng Thirith - who can be used as scapegoats.
Moeun Chhean Nariddh, Phnom Penh
In order to draw a complete picture of the chain of command and responsibilities in the genocide, all the key members of the regime must be summoned to explain their actions.
We are not sure if the courts will be brave enough to call former Khmer Rouge ministers, advisers, zone and district chiefs and other commanders who are serving in the current government to testify in the court.
It may be impossible. The Khmer Rouge Tribunal Law seems to have built a safety fence around these people. The courts will only try "the most senior and most responsible leaders" of the Khmer Rouge.
This may mean that the courts can only try a handful of Khmer Rouge leaders. like Brother Number 2, Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge head of state, Khieu Samphan, Foreign Minister Ieng Sary and Social Minister Ieng Thirith - who can be used as scapegoats.
Moeun Chhean Nariddh, Phnom Penh
