Khmer Rouge judge sees failures

[Coventina]

Source: BBC

The international prosecutor at the Khmer Rouge tribunal has warned that the process is failing to make a connection with the Cambodian people.

Robert Petit said he was also concerned about political interference at the special courts.

The Canadian official has just announced his resignation after three years of leading the prosecution of former Khmer Rouge leaders.

He said his resignation was not connected to problems at the tribunal.

But at a news conference to announce his impending departure he outlined his concerns about several key areas at the special courts.

Mr Petit said the tribunal had failed to explain itself to its most important audience - the Cambodian people.

The first trial of a former Khmer Rouge leader started three months ago.

But Mr Petit said that a lack of funding for outreach work had limited its impact on the public.

The prosecutor said he was also worried about the role of the Cambodian government.





Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8118009.stm

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This is very troubling.

:-(

Of course, Hun Sen is critical of expanding investigations because HE is a former KR member!

[David__77]

1. You really think all former members and supporters of the CPK-KR should be prosecuted?

Communist Party of Kampuchea had hundreds of thousands of members and supporters before they even seized power nationally. The government is run by them now. CPK members also broke away and collaborated with the Vietnamese occupation. During the CPK rule 1975-1979, perhaps a majority of the party cadre were under the age of 18, which certainly also ties in with the brutality that occurred. I do not think expanding the prosecutions will facilitate national renewal. There are three crimes in Cambodia:

- American-supported Lon Nol and US bombings and killings in the countryside
- CPK-Khmer Rouge killings
- Vietnamese killings and occupation

Putting everyone responsible for these crimes would wipe out the entire power structure in Cambodia (and lock up many in US, Vietnam, China, and Russia too).