The Emerge of Khmer Rouge Trial
Tuesday, June 05, 2007 - Editor:
Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia will prosecute the crimes committed in Cambodia during Khmer Rouge regime 1975-1979, But for any crime done after that period will be tried by the existing Cambodia court. Because of the misunderstanding and different opinion between Cambodian and UN, it took a long time for Cambodia to prepare Khmer Rouge trial until 2003.Cambodia government created this since the international Crime Court,in the Netherlands, can not hear any crime that took place before 2002. Cambodia Government and foreign countries finance the court, around $60 million. It is too much money, but it is favorable one, compared to other international crime tribunal in the world. This funding does not reduce the donor fund for development in Cambodia.
In 1979, there was People’s Revolutionary Tribunal trying Pol Pot and Ieng Sary, but neither of them appeared in the court nor served and sentenced. In 1996, Ieng Sary was granted pardon by the king for genocide. In the Khmer rouge trial, there will be no amnesty or pardon for any person. The convicted persons are life in prison, five years in prison, or confiscated property that defendant acquired by criminal conduct.
The Extraordinary Chambers will try only those senior leaders of Democratic Kampuchea, not any low level or middle ranking Khmer Rouge members, any one associated with those person, or any countries and organizations supporting them before 1975.
There are two levels of court: the trial chamber—three Cambodian and two international judges, supreme court—four Cambodian and three international judges. The judges will make all decisions under Cambodia today laws and international crime laws. If they have conflicts in decision, they have to vote. The trial judges trying the defendants base on the evidence presented by the prosecutions and the defenses.
The trials will take place in a large courtroom on the outskirts of Phnom Penh on National road 4, Ang Village, Kantok Commune, Ang Snoul District. It is estimated to take three year for trials. The trials will be opened for the public with no admission cost and broadcasted by local and international television, radio, and newspapers.
