ECCC Reparations

This blog is designed to serve as a repository of analyses, news reports and press releases related to the issue of RERAPATIONS within the framework of the Extraordinary Chambers in Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), a.k.a. the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Observers Mistrust Corruption Elimination In KRT

By: Chuob BrahaPosted date: 18-08-2008

The Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT) last Friday established an anti-corruption committee in the court to avoid criticism by nationals and internationals.

Sean Visoth, head of administration, said to officials he would resign if the corruption was found in the ECCC. But observers have not been convinced by his announcement as now the corruption allegation has not been addressed.

Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath told reporters the anti-corruption committee is head by Judge Kong Srim, head of Supreme Court Chamber, and Helen Jarvis, head of public affairs.
“H.E. Sean Visoth stresses he wants to solve it. From now if any corruption is found, he will step down. He has sacrificed his life in this kind of work to get effectiveness and justice for people,” Reach Sambath said.

The anti-corruption committee establishment followed subsequent corruption allegation though independent auditors have not discovered any graft, Sambath added.

Reach Sambath said of any offences imposed for those commit corruption, “As we know, we have to respect law. Judge Prak Kim San said those who give someone bribe are wrong. Those who receive bribe must be ready to be imprisoned. You Bunleng said that those who take bribe to someone must be dismissed and those who receive bribe must be punished.”

“The most important thing is that we have to monitor the body’s activities and what measures the body has taken. Thus, both outcomes and legacy are depended on the body’s efforts, based on their own destination,” he added.

The UN-joined tribunal has been proceeding for over two years. The corruption allegation inside the administrative subsequently emerged. Recently, the UN Development Program has frozen Cambodian staffers’ monthly salaries for the month of July 2008 due to a new corruption allegation which has undermined the tribunal.

Keo Thyvuth, chief of personnel, was removed from his position and transferred back to his office of the Council of Ministers.

The trial of Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, is expected to begin in September or October as his case file is completely investigated. But it is concerned over budgetary crisis that may result in the delay of the planned trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders.

Donors have not yet brought more money to the tribunal because of the corruption allegation.
Observers say the U.S.-based Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) was directly critical of the corruption inside the tribunal, but Sean Visoth dismissed it and refused to cooperate with OSJI.

Instead, now Sean Visoth announces to fight against the corruption, establishing a so-called anti-corruption body headed by Judge Kong Srim and Helen Jarvis.

Sean Visoth’s last Friday announcement involved in the anti-corruption body is more likely that the court is totally ravaged by corruption.

Former KR leaders are condemned for killing some 1.7 million people during their reign from 17 April 1975 to early January 1979.

Five jailed and trial-awaiting former KR leaders and those most responsible for include Nuon Chea, former president of people representative’s assembly; Ieng Sary, former deputy prime minister in charge of foreign affairs; Khieu Samphan, former head of state; Ieng Thirith, former social affairs; and Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, former chief of Tuol Sleng prison.

Civil societies’ officials and Cambodian people inside and outside the counties want the defendants’ trial to be held soon in order that they reveal the crimes committed.

The ageing and seriously ill leaders could die before going to trial if the court is delayed. Ieng Sary suffers from urinating blood and Khieu Samphan suffers from high blood pressure. Both of them are most often taken to Calmette Hospital.

Unofficial translation-Extracted from Moneaksekar Khmer – Vol 15, #3541 – Monday, August 18, 2008
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