News Articles
Access for Public and Media to Preliminary Hearing on Fitness to Stand Trial 29-31 Aug 2011
The Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts Of Cambodia has scheduled a preliminary hearing on fitness to stand trial relating to the accused persons Ieng Thirith and Nuon Chea on 29 – 31 August 2011. The hearing will commence at 9 am on Monday 29 Aug 2011.
New Issue of The Court Report
In The Court Report for August 2011 you can read the reactions from some of the 1,728 Civil Parties who were admitted to Case 002 following decision by the Pre-Trial Chamber in the end of June, the latest developments at the ECCC and the latest updates from the various offices of the Court. This issue carries a report on a Self-Help Group organized by the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization who assists Cicil Parties in Kampot.
Seventh Regional Forum for 350 Civil Parties in Case 002 to be Organized in Kampong Thom
The Victims Support Section (VSS) of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) is organising its Seventh Regional Forum for the 350 Civil Parties recently admitted in Case 002. The parties are from Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey Preah Vihear and southwestern provinces of Tonle Sap. The Forum is to be held at Kampong Thom’s Provincial Hall, on Thursday 11 August 2011 from 7:30 a.m.
ECCC Reaches Out to Buddhist Monks
“Trials alone, cannot foster the reconciliation necessary to heal wounds of the past. It is therefore my hope that you, being respected monks, through this special and privileged standing in this society are able to complement the Court proceedings by assisting victims and perpetrators to reconcile,” said Deputy Director Knut Rosandhaug in a speech to 400 Buddhist monks at Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University on 9 August 2011.
Statement by the Co-Investigating Judges Regarding Civil Parties in Case 004
So far, the Office of the Co-investigating Judges did not notify the public of the crime sites in Case 004, because, unlike in Case 002, there are serious doubts whether the suspects are “most responsible” according to the jurisdictional requirement of Article 2 ECCC Law. If the Court had no jurisdiction, it would be inappropriate to encourage civil party applications further to the 200 already received in this case, as this could raise expectations which might not be met later on.
Statement by the International Co-Prosecutor Regarding Case File 004
The International Co-Prosecutor, Andrew Cayley, makes this public statement pursuant to Article 12(2) of the ECCC Agreement and Internal Rules 21(c) and 54 to ensure that the public is duly informed about ongoing ECCC proceedings in Case 004, taking into consideration the interests of victims and witnesses, the rights of suspects and the requirements of the investigation.
Tenth ECCC Plenary Session Concludes
The Tenth Plenary Session of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia concluded today, having met from Monday 1 to Wednesday 3 August 2011. The Plenary considered proposals to amend its Internal Rules in order to promote efficient trial management and more expeditious trial proceedings.
Victims: We Receive Some Justice by Becoming Civil Parties
“The Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision to grant the appeal on the admissibility of my application as a Civil Party in Case 002 against the four accused persons, is a part of justice for me and my late relatives who lost their life under the Khmer Rouge. The upcoming trials will bring me more justice”, said a Civil Party on the 28 July 2011 while attending a regional forum organized for recently admitted Civil Parties in Case 002 organized by Victim Support Section of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).
Opening Speeches at 10th Session of the ECCC Plenary
The opening speeches at the 10th session of the ECCC Plenary on ! august 2011 by Judge Kong Srim, President of the ECCC Plenary and Judge Silvia Cartwright, Vice-President of the ECCC Plenary, can be downloaded from this page. Opening Speech by H.E. Kong Srim, President of the ECCC Plenary, 1 August 2011
10th Session of the ECCC Plenary Commences on 1 Aug 2011
Between 1 to 3 August 2011, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) will hold its 10th Plenary Session at the Courtroom of the ECCC. The 10th Plenary Session will discuss proposed amendments to three Internal Rules and to the Practice Direction on Filing.
Judge CHUNG Chang-ho Appointed as New Pre-Trial Chamber Judge
Following the nomination by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and the approval by the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni has appointed Mr. CHUNG Chang-ho (Republic of Korea) as new international judge to serve in the Pre-Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). Mr. Chung is replacing Judge Catherine Marchi-Uhel who has returned to her post at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Judge Kathinka Lahuis (Netherlands) will continue as reserve judge.
6th Regional Civil Party Forum in Kampot
The Victims Support Section (VSS) of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) organizes its Sixth Regional Forum for 450 Civil Parties recently admitted in Case 002, from Kampot, Kep, Kampong Som, Kampong Speu and Koh Kong Provinces.
July issue of The Court Report
In the July issue of our monthly newsletter you can read about public reactions to the initial hearing in Case 002, updates from the judicial offices and the latest developments at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.You can access the July issue of The Court report here:http://www.eccc.gov.kh/en/publication/court-report-july-2011
New Zealand makes additional contribution to ECCC
The Government of New Zealand has confirmed a new contribution of NZD$ 100,000 (approximately US$ 80,000) to the international component of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). With this latest contribution, New Zealand has provided financial assistance for a total of NZD$ 900,000 to the ECCC.In a letter to the ECCC, HE Ambassador Bede Corry stated that the latest contribution “is intended to demonstrate New Zealand’s continued support for the judicial work of the Tribunal”.
Kampot commune council members seek information for constituents
More than 350 commune council members from Kampot province visited the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on 12 July 2011. They came to study and gain understanding of the process of prosecuting senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge and those alleged to be most responsible for serious crimes committed between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979. They were determined to share the information and knowledge acquired with their constituents once they returned back to their villages.
Behind the scenes: the holding cells
There are four holding cells in the basement under the main courtroom. Each cell is equipped with audio and video equipment allowing two way communication between the parties inside the courtroom and the defendant in the holding cell. A defendant can request to be allowed to participate in the proceedings remotely from the holding cell if his/her health condition makes it difficult to sit inside the courtroom.
Pre-Trial Chamber overturns previous rejection of 98% of appealing civil party applicants in Case 002
In a reasoned decision issued on 23 June 2011, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) granted appeals submitted from 1,728 civil party applicants in Case 002 and granted them status as civil parties in the case. The appellants’ applications to become civil parties had previously been rejected as inadmissible.
TRIAL CHAMBER ANNOUNCES AGENDA FOR CASE 002 INITIAL HEARING
The Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia has announcedthat the Initial Hearing in the court’s second case scheduled for 27th - 30th June will begin at 9am and close 4 pm every day and will hear oral argument on preliminary objections among others.
Public Statement by the Co-Investigating Judges
As the Co-Investigating
Judges have credible information that the content of the Second Introductory
Submission which is classified as confidential, has been divulged by a disloyal
staff member of the ECCC, warning is hereby given that anyone publishing
information from this confidential document is liable to be subjected to
proceedings for Interference with the Administration of Justice pursuant to
Statement by the International Co-Prosecutor
On Friday 10 June 2011, the International Co-Prosecutor, Andrew Cayley, resubmitted three investigative requests and a request for an extension of the deadline for filing Civil Party Applications in Case 003 to the Office of the Co-Investigating Judges.
Statement from the Co-Investigating Judges Related to Case 003 Requests from the International Co-Prosecutor
In a reasoned decision issued on 7 June 2011, the Co-Investigating Judges of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) have rejected a request for an extension of the deadline for filing Civil Party Applications in Case 003 and three investigative requests filed by the International Co-Prosecutor alone as invalid.
Australia confirms donation of AUD 2 million
The Australian Government has confirmed a new donation of AUD 2 million (approximately US$2.1 million) in funding support for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). AUD 1 million will be given to the national component and AUD 1 million will be given to the international component of the ECCC.
New appointments in the Public Affairs Section
The Office of Administration of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) would like to announce some changes made to fill vacancies and to strengthen the Public Affairs Section of the ECCC. Mr. DIM Sovannarom, who until recently served as Press Officer, will be Officer in Charge of the Public Affairs Section. In an effort to further strengthen the public information, media and outreach work of the ECCC Mr.
Statement from the Co-Investigating Judges regarding Civil Party Applications in Case 003
Pursuant to Internal Rule 56 (2) (a), the Co-Investigating Judges of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) make the following statement:1. As of 18 May 2011, the Victims Support Section (VSS) had received 318 Civil Party Applications for Case 003.
Statement from the Co-Investigating Judges regarding misrepresentations in media
In view of misrepresentations in the article “Cambodia’s troubled tribunal” published in the 25 May 2011 edition by the International Justice Tribune, the Co-Investigating Judges of the ECCC point out the following: 1. Regarding the allegation “investigating judges (are) threatening the international co-prosecutor with contempt of court”:
The Co-Investigating Judges never threatened this, nor did they ever let it be known that they were considering this; rather this is a malicious rumour intended to disrupt the harmony within the Court.