Kampot - Victims Support Section (VSS) and Civil Party Lead Co-Lawyers’ Section of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on 26 October 2023 organized a meeting on notification of civil parties in case 002/02 with 33 focal persons coming from the provinces of Kampong Speu, Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Kep.
Mr. Hang Vannak, Chief of Victims Support Section said, “The meeting aims to provide the update on final judicial results of case 002/02 and the ECCC’s work during residual phase, especially activities related to the support of victims. After the meeting, the focal persons are expected to impart key messages as well as distribute summary judgment books in case 002/01 and case 002/02, and certificates of appreciation to Civil Parties living in their areas.”
Judge Martin Karopkin, International Judge of Trial Chamber of ECCC, who addressed the participants during the opening session said, “This is unique. I don’t know of any other courts anywhere that have granted such broad power to the victims, and I think it is one of the most outstanding features of the ECCC. I hope in this regard the ECCC will be a model for other courts that may come into existence to address crimes of this scope in the future”.
Mr. Pich Ang, National Lead Co-Lawyer of the case 002 said, “Civil Parties found justice not only for themselves but also for other victims by revealing the truth within the court proceedings and to the public. A large number of Civil Parties provided testimonies on facts and sufferings and their written documents have also been intensively used in Parties' and Courts' documents. Civil Parties showed courage by filing lawsuits with the court even though some of them said they were scared at the beginning, but they eventually overcame fears. Their hard work is a great treasure for the next generation”. He also updated to Civil Parties that Mr. Khiev Samphan is executing his imprisonment sentence in Kandal Province, and he updated about the ECCC residual mechanism and the work of VSR Working Group to disseminate the achievement of the ECCC and to create projects for the interest of Civil Parties, other survivors, and the public.
Focal persons expressed thanks to the ECCC for organizing the meeting, while some asked to visit the ECCC Resource Centre at the new premises. They also asked ECCC to organize more of this kind of meeting so that they are well informed of the ECCC’s work. The organizers encouraged focal persons to continue discussions and share messages received during the meeting to Civil Parties living in their areas. At the end of the meeting, VSS also distributed ID cards recognizing they are the ECCC's focal persons for the Civil Parties.
