By Craig Guthrie
The Mekong Times
Looming fund shortages at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal have raised the twin spectres of Cambodian staff losing their jobs and the court’s judicial process facing further delay. The Mekong Times has interviewed the court’s Public Affairs Officer Helen Jarvis to gauge the seriousness of the crisis.
During a meeting held Mar 12, Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) Director of Administrative Sean Visoth told 200 Cambodian staff members that their jobs were in doubt as the court’s founds for the Cambodian side would dwindle to nothing by April. Nothing could be guaranteed in terms of salary after March, he said, putting pressure on international donors to pony up the sizeable funds that have been requested of them. The ECCC’s Public Affairs Officer Helen Jarvis explained the depth of crisis to The Mekong Times’ Craig Guthrie.
If the Cambodian side run out of funds, will the ECCC need to make Cambodian staff redundant?
We are not considering such an eventuality at this time. The historic importance of and necessity for the ECCC are well known; the achievements made by the court are also there for all to see. The donors are currently considering budget projections, and we are confident that funds will be forthcoming.
If the Cambodian side has no funds, will the UN side continue working alone? Would this disturb the judicial process?
Our director of Administration, His Excellency Sean Visoth, has often said “a bird can not fly with one wing.” The name of the ECCC is the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia – it is impossible to imagine that it could function without Cambodian administrative and judicial officers and staff.
When will the tribunal receive final word on whether or not it will receive funding from donors? What is the latest news that the tribunal has on this matter - are you optimistic that the court will get the funds it needs?
We expect that the donors and potential donors convened in the Group of Interested States will meet in New York in the coming weeks to discuss the projected budget that they were given in January, together with our responses to a number of points of clarification that they have raised with us.
If the ECCC does not receive the funds it needs before April, will it postpone all activities or close? If necessary will the government step in and provide stopgap funds?
We do not think that anyone would be seriously contemplating postponing or ceasing the activities of the court. The Royal Government of Cambodia has provided US$1.5 million in cash ( earmarked for utilities), and in addition, it has contributed an estimated US$5.2 million in extra-budgetary support (including provision of the premises, general security in support of the activities of the court, costs of detention, visa and customs processing). This US$6.7 million amounts to some 15 percent of the total costs of the court and, as such, represents a significant and ongoing commitment. I refer you also to recent statements to this effect by the Prime Minister, by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, and by the Government spokesperson, His Excellency Khieu Kanharith. We are optimistic for continuing support for the ECCC to carry out its mandate, and once again express our appreciation to those who have generously provided funds for the court to date. These include the Cambodian government and more than 30 other countries (ranging from US$21.6 million from Japan to US$ 1,000 from Armenia and US$ 500 from Namibia).
During a meeting held Mar 12, Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) Director of Administrative Sean Visoth told 200 Cambodian staff members that their jobs were in doubt as the court’s founds for the Cambodian side would dwindle to nothing by April. Nothing could be guaranteed in terms of salary after March, he said, putting pressure on international donors to pony up the sizeable funds that have been requested of them. The ECCC’s Public Affairs Officer Helen Jarvis explained the depth of crisis to The Mekong Times’ Craig Guthrie.
If the Cambodian side run out of funds, will the ECCC need to make Cambodian staff redundant?
We are not considering such an eventuality at this time. The historic importance of and necessity for the ECCC are well known; the achievements made by the court are also there for all to see. The donors are currently considering budget projections, and we are confident that funds will be forthcoming.
If the Cambodian side has no funds, will the UN side continue working alone? Would this disturb the judicial process?
Our director of Administration, His Excellency Sean Visoth, has often said “a bird can not fly with one wing.” The name of the ECCC is the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia – it is impossible to imagine that it could function without Cambodian administrative and judicial officers and staff.
When will the tribunal receive final word on whether or not it will receive funding from donors? What is the latest news that the tribunal has on this matter - are you optimistic that the court will get the funds it needs?
We expect that the donors and potential donors convened in the Group of Interested States will meet in New York in the coming weeks to discuss the projected budget that they were given in January, together with our responses to a number of points of clarification that they have raised with us.
If the ECCC does not receive the funds it needs before April, will it postpone all activities or close? If necessary will the government step in and provide stopgap funds?
We do not think that anyone would be seriously contemplating postponing or ceasing the activities of the court. The Royal Government of Cambodia has provided US$1.5 million in cash ( earmarked for utilities), and in addition, it has contributed an estimated US$5.2 million in extra-budgetary support (including provision of the premises, general security in support of the activities of the court, costs of detention, visa and customs processing). This US$6.7 million amounts to some 15 percent of the total costs of the court and, as such, represents a significant and ongoing commitment. I refer you also to recent statements to this effect by the Prime Minister, by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, and by the Government spokesperson, His Excellency Khieu Kanharith. We are optimistic for continuing support for the ECCC to carry out its mandate, and once again express our appreciation to those who have generously provided funds for the court to date. These include the Cambodian government and more than 30 other countries (ranging from US$21.6 million from Japan to US$ 1,000 from Armenia and US$ 500 from Namibia).
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