Groups Call for Monitoring of Ta Mok's Health
By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee—a coalition of 21 rights groups—has urged the government and the UN to pay greater attention to the health of former Khmer Rouge commander Ta Mok and to send him to a better hospital.
In a Sunday statement, the committee expressed "deep concern" about the possible death of Ta Mok, who is currently being treated at the Preah Ket Metea military hospital for a host of ailments. The committee attributed his ailing health to a previous lack of medical care.
"The failure to bring him to a better hospital might lead to his death and [the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia] would then lose one of its relevant witnesses and suspects," the committee said. "The loss of Ta Mok would clearly affect the ECCC negatively."
Medical personnel revealed Friday that doctors had attempted to move Ta Mok to Calmette Hospital but had been denied permission to do so due to security reasons.
Prime Minister' Hun Sen's adviser Om Yentieng said Sunday that NGOs lack the necessary skills to provide an accurate assessment of the former Khmer Rouge strongman's health.
"They are not doctors. The doctors know their work," he said. He also accused the committee of abusing doctors' rights by requesting the relocation.
UN Development Program spokesman Dain Bolwell referred questions to tribunal spokesman Peter Foster, who could not be contacted on Sunday. Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath declined comment as Ta Mok is not yet under the auspices of the ECCC.
On Thursday, Ta Mok's lawyer Benson Samay announced that Ta Mok had lapsed into a coma and could be about to die.
A doctor treating Ta Mok said Sunday on condition of anonymity that Ta Mok is conscious, but that his condition is fluctuating and that he permanently wears an oxygen mask. Doctors were able to spoon-feed Ta Mok porridge on Saturday morning, and had continued to pump fluid from his lungs, he said.
But the doctor's prognosis remains bleak. "I think, in his condition, he might survive at least another half-month," he said.
In a Sunday statement, the committee expressed "deep concern" about the possible death of Ta Mok, who is currently being treated at the Preah Ket Metea military hospital for a host of ailments. The committee attributed his ailing health to a previous lack of medical care.
"The failure to bring him to a better hospital might lead to his death and [the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia] would then lose one of its relevant witnesses and suspects," the committee said. "The loss of Ta Mok would clearly affect the ECCC negatively."
Medical personnel revealed Friday that doctors had attempted to move Ta Mok to Calmette Hospital but had been denied permission to do so due to security reasons.
Prime Minister' Hun Sen's adviser Om Yentieng said Sunday that NGOs lack the necessary skills to provide an accurate assessment of the former Khmer Rouge strongman's health.
"They are not doctors. The doctors know their work," he said. He also accused the committee of abusing doctors' rights by requesting the relocation.
UN Development Program spokesman Dain Bolwell referred questions to tribunal spokesman Peter Foster, who could not be contacted on Sunday. Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath declined comment as Ta Mok is not yet under the auspices of the ECCC.
On Thursday, Ta Mok's lawyer Benson Samay announced that Ta Mok had lapsed into a coma and could be about to die.
A doctor treating Ta Mok said Sunday on condition of anonymity that Ta Mok is conscious, but that his condition is fluctuating and that he permanently wears an oxygen mask. Doctors were able to spoon-feed Ta Mok porridge on Saturday morning, and had continued to pump fluid from his lungs, he said.
But the doctor's prognosis remains bleak. "I think, in his condition, he might survive at least another half-month," he said.
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