CAMBODIA TRIBUNAL MONITOR — Can the Royal Pardon and Amnesty Save Ieng Sary?

CAMBODIA TRIBUNAL MONITOR — Can the Royal Pardon and Amnesty Save Ieng Sary?
By Christine Evans, Northwestern University School of Law, LL.M. (International Human Rights) 2011.

The second day of initial hearings in Trial 002 in the ECCC brought a more subdued courtroom decidedly different from the trial’s opening day, as the parties refrained from the spirited debate and posturing for the public that had marked much of Monday’s proceedings. The judges seemed impatient to return to the planned agenda, and the parties seemed ready to oblige, limiting comments to the scope of the prescribed proceedings for most of day.

Throughout the day, the atmosphere in the public gallery also reflected the more reserved character of the courtroom, as the seats took longer to fill at the beginning of the day and were more quickly abandoned after each session was adjourned. Although the audience generally mirrored that at Monday’s hearings, with a mix of Buddhist monks and nuns, Cambodian villagers, and secondary school students, the number of foreign observers was noticeably lower, as seen by the large stock of translation headsets, nearly depleted on Monday, that remained as the day’s proceedings began.

STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SESSION 2 OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL UNITED MOVEMENT

STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SESSION 2 OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL UNITED MOVEMENT

(Unofficial translation by the Documentation Center of Cambodia)

A delegation of 245 people from the capital city Phnom Penh and provinces all over the Kingdom of Cambodia met January 25, 1999 in the General Assembly, Session 2 of the Democratic National United Movement (DNUM) under the chairmanship of His Excellency Ieng Sary, Head of the DNUM.  After listening and discussing on various reports from all the sources, the Summit unanimously worked out a general declaration as follows:

On December 25, 1998, His Excellency Khieu Samphan, Former Head of State of the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) Regime, and His Excellency Nuon Chea, Former Chairman of the People’s Representative Assembly of the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) Regime, jointly sent a letter to Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, solemnly declaring their recognition of the royal leadership of His Royal Majesty Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the incumbent Royal Government of Cambodia.  They also declared their return into the society as simple citizens in order to help contribute to the national healing and reconciliation by ending the country’s internal division and joining in the restoration and building of Cambodia.

UN Chief Invited to Cambodia to Check on Rights

Los Angeles Times, Saturday, October 10, 1978

 Deputy Premier Ieng Sary of Cambodia said Friday he has invited UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim to visit the country and “see with his own eyes the truth of human rights charges” against its Communist government.

A UN spokesman said Waldheim was considering the invitation.

A Canadian report made to the UN Commission on Human Rights last month accused the Cambodian government of “violating almost every article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” The declaration is a key UN document adopted in 1948.

On Thursday, 80 senators called for international action to stop what they called genocide by the Cambodian government against its people. The 48 Democrats and 32 Republicans signed a letter initiated by Sen. George McGovern (D-SD) asking the Administration to place Cambodia’s behavior on the agenda of the UN Security Council.

Ieng Sary, making his third visit to the United Nations as deputy premier in charge of foreign relations, said at a news conference that “indeed there were difficulties in 1975 and 1976.”

He referred to the forced evacuation of Cambodian cities right after the Communist takeover and said this had presented “some difficulties.”

But he said, “If we did not drive away the people from the city surely many would have been killed by now.” He did not explain the point further.

He said that after initial difficulties, “now these people from the city see they can live in the countryside more easily than before.”

In reply to questions, Ieng Sary told reporters that the country’s former ruler, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, is living comfortably in his palace, that Western journalists can visit the country and that Cambodia would welcome diplomatic relations with the United States.

He said the devastation of war had left the country without facilities to handle visiting correspondents and that the number who could come was still restricted. But he added, “We have nothing to hide,” and Japanese correspondents had recently toured the country.

He said requests to visit the country were being handled as rapidly as facilities permitted and “perhaps the turn for America will come in November or December. We are opening progressively our doors and invite you to visit our country,” he said.

Independently Searching for the Truth since 1997.
MEMORY & JUSTICE

 

“…a society cannot know itself if it does not have an accurate memory of its own history.”

 

Youk Chhang, Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia
66 Sihanouk Blvd.,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 
t:  +855 23 21 18 75
f:  +855 23 21 03 58
h: +855 12 90 55 95
e:  dccam@online.com.kh
    www.dccam.org

 

Observing the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
Visit: www.cambodiatribunal.org

 

Transform the River of Blood into a River of Reconciliation.
A River of Responsibility.  Break the Silence.

Cambodia tourism sector increased 15pc in first nine months

Global financial crisis really affected strongly Cambodia tourism industry which is one of four pillar sectors to drive the growth of Cambodian economy. During the first 9 months of 2010, the number of foreign tourists increased 15 percent.

According to the statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, the number of foreign tourists who traveled to Cambodia via land, air, and sear was up to 1,803,180 tourists about 14,6 percent from 1,573,940 tourists in the same period last year.

Tith Chantha, director general at the Tourism Ministry, was quoted by the post as saying that Cambodia aims to meet a goal of 2.5 million international visitors during 2010, up from 2.16 million last year.

He added that “growth could be at around 15 percent for all of 2010 because of economic recovery, more regional flight connections and broad promotions.”

Most of foreign tourists are coming from Korea, China, Thailand and other Countries.

source:http://khmerweekly.com

Chemical use for crops and food

Presently, Cambodian farmers still keep utilizing a high amount of chemicals in crops and food supply. Seang Huy, executive director of the Cambodian Chemical Association, told VOA Khmer that the chemical exposure can be dangerous, so bother consumers and producers must pay more attention to the problem.

She added that “some banned agricultural chemicals are still in use amongst Cambodian farmers. We also see some chemicals used as food additives.”

Chan Sarun, Agriculture Minister, told a meeting of government and development officials on July 14, that “the ministry is considering convention membership because we want to prevent other countries from using Cambodia as a trash bin for their hazardous chemicals and pesticides,” reported VOA Khmer.

Seang Huy said some banned chemicals like some insecticides are still in use in Cambodia, even though the country has banned more than 100 of them.

However, she acknowledged that the use of natural insecticides was harder for farmers, who are under pressure to meet market demands for low-cost goods.

The Rotterdam Convention requires proper labeling and instructions from countries of origin for chemicals, as well as disclosures on restrictions or bans of the chemicals. Both Thailand and Vietnam are among the 134 parties to the convention.

source:http://khmerweekly.com

Khmer Rouge cadres confront their past

Phnom penh post on tuesday, 16 November 2010
By Cheang Sokha

About 300 Cambodian villagers filed into Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, lingering over photographs and searching for relatives lost to the Khmer Rouge.

They paid rapt attention as their tour guides led them through the facility and expressed shock at the variety of torture methods on display.

“I saw the images of torture and I didn’t think it would be like that,” said Sor Song, 52. “I saw it with my own eyes, and I felt shocked to see it.”

The reactions of Sor Song and his fellow tour members are not so different from thousands of others who have visited Tuol Sleng over the years, yet their frame of reference is decidedly different: the Pailin residents are former supporters – and in many cases members – of the movement that operated the infamous prison.

STATEMENT OF THE ACTING INTERNATIONAL CO-PROSECUTOR

8 September 2009

STATEMENT OF THE ACTING INTERNATIONAL CO-PROSECUTOR

Submission of Two New Introductory Submissions

Yesterday, the Acting International Co-Prosecutor filed with the Office of the Co-Investigating Judges the Second and Third Introductory Submissions so that judicial investigations are opened into the criminal acts alleged therein. This filing was done in accordance with the directions given by the Pre-Trial Chamber in its Considerations Regarding the Disagreement Between the Co-Prosecutors Pursuant to Internal Rule 71 (Disagreement No. 001/18-11-2008-ECCC/PTC), received by the Co-Prosecutors on 2 September 2009.

6th Plenary Session of the ECCC Commences Monday 7 September 2009

03 September 2009

RESS RELEASE

6th PLENARY SESSION OF THE ECCC
COMMENCES MONDAY 7 SETEMBER 2009

Between 7 and 11 September 2009, the ECCC will hold its 6th Plenary Session at the ECCC Main Courtroom, National Road 4, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

This Plenary Session will discuss proposed amendments to the Internal Rules concerning the conduct of ECCC proceedings, including rules relating to, amongst other things, protective measures, rules of evidence, deadlines for Civil Party applications, measures designed to expedite proceedings once a Closing Order is appealed, and procedure before the Supreme Court Chamber. The Plenary Session will also, in advance of Case 2, discuss proposed directions of change to the current model of victim participation. This discussion, which will be limited to concepts only, will seek a mandate to adapt the current Civil Party model to the requirements of mass crimes and the specific Cambodian context.

ECCC:Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

2 September 2009

The Acting Director of the Office of Administration has in accordance with the applicable provisions in the ECCC law, the Agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the United Nations and the Court’s Internal Rules,  forwarded “Considerations of the Pre-Trial Chamber Regarding the Disagreement Between the Co-Prosecutors Pursuant to Internal Rule 71” to the two Co-Prosecutors.

Press Release : Appointment of Acting International Co-Prosecutor

31 August 2009

Press Release  : Appointment of Acting International Co-Prosecutor

On 29 August 2009, the Supreme Council of Magistracy of Cambodia, upon the nomination of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, appointed, as an interim measure,  Mr. William Smith (Australia) as the Acting International Co-Prosecutor at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.  His appointment shall be effective 1 September 2009.  This appointment has been made pending the decision on the permanent replacement for the current International Co-Prosecutor, Mr. Robert Petit, whose resignation takes effect on the same date. Two nominations for the permanent replacement have been forwarded by the Secretary-General to the Royal Government of Cambodia for a decision by the Supreme Council of Magistracy.

Press Release Summary: first 50 days of the “Duch”-trial

Press Release Summary: first 50 days of the “Duch”-trial on 27 July 2009

Monday 27 July marks the 50th day of the trial against Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch since its commencement on 30 March 2009. Mr. Kaing is accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes and violation of certain provision in the Cambodian Criminal Code of 1956.

Thus far, two experts (Nayan Chanda and Craig Etcheson), 11 fact witnesses and seven Civil Parties have given testimonies before the Trial Chamber. An additional seven fact witnesses, one expert (David Chandler) and 20 Civil Parties are scheduled to give testimonies until 26 August which is the period currently scheduled by the Trial Chamber. An end-date for the trial proceedings has not been set yet. The Trial Chamber has rendered 11 written decisions and a number of oral decisions on procedural matters since the start of the trial.

More than 12,000 visitors have attended the Duch-trial

22 July 2009

PRESS RELEASE

More than 12,000 visitors have attended the Duch-trial

On Wednesday, 22 July 2009, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) reached the benchmark of 12,000 visitors in attendance of Case 001 against Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch since the trial began on 30 March 2009.

During recent months, the Public Affairs Section has strengthened efforts to increase both outreach activities and visitor attendance at the court.  Due to targeted effective outreach through the use of radio broadcasts, the court has been able to provide to larger audience information about how to attend the court hearings. The ECCC is providing free bus transportation to the court from the provinces for groups of 30 or more that have expressed interested in attending the Duch-trial.

Pol Pot regime survivors not to pardon KR leaders if they admit guilt, make public apology

Kampot Province: As the Khmer Rouge trial is being held, Pol Pot regime Khmer-Islamic survivors reacted they would not pardon former Khmer Rouge leaders if they admitted crimes committed during the regime and make public apology.

They made a strong reaction while responding to Youk Chhang, the director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam), questioning that whether they pardon former Khmer Rouge leaders if they acknowledge crimes committed and make public apology. The questioning came as the DC-Cam was distributing 500 books of “Democratic Kampuchea History (1975-1979)” and “Searching for the Truth” magazines for free to Kampot’s Khmer-Islamic people last weekend.

KRT Summry News on June 2009

In June 2009, media report news relating to document loss of Nuon Chea’s defense team and a request to the court to address allegations of corruption within Khmer Rouge tribunal. In this month, the local newspaper also reports trial of former Tuol Sleng prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch and his confession of crimes committed once he held the position as S-21 security center director, and other news relating to resignation of international co-prosecutor Robert Petit.

Last week, international co-defense lawyer Michiel Pestman representing Nuon Chea said his documents were stolen and he spotted the documents floating in canal near the Khmer Rouge tribunal’s office. He voiced concern over security in the tribunal and urged the tribunal’s security office to investigate the case.

Voice of Justice:30 Years of Impunity Has to Stop Now with Greater Accountability at the KRT

Voice of Justice
30 Years of Impunity Has to Stop Now with Greater Accountability at the KRT
Phnom Penh, 7 January 2009

Thirty years ago today, Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia liberated us from the bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge which took the lives of 2 million Cambodians, including those of my parents and other relatives. However, three decades later, Cambodians are still not free and continue to live under the long shadow of their atrocities: justice remains elusive for the millions of victims of the KR regime, as well as for the many ordinary Cambodians who suffer the injustices of the legal system in which impunity has become the norm.

Now, for the first time, our country confronts a truly unique opportunity, a chance to realize accountability for the crimes of the KR and to create a new precedent for our embryonic domestic criminal justice system through the UN-backed Extraordinary Chambers or informally, the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT) which currently is detaining 5 KR leaders The recent decision of this KRT’s National Co-Prosecutor to oppose the International Co- Prosecutor’s proposed investigations into 6 further suspects jeopardizes this opportunity and amounts to yet another betrayal of the Cambodian people by our country’s political elite.