By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer Washington
16 April 2008
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon (pictured) marked the 10th anniversary of Pol Pot’s death to remind member countries to support the Khmer Rouge tribunal.
Pol Pot died April 15, 1998, and was cremated on a makeshift pyre before he was brought to trial for his role in Khmer Rouge policies.
Five former leaders are now in detention, awaiting trial under the tribunal, known officially as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.
The tribunal was originally budgeted at $56 million, but officials have asked for an additional $114 million and have been forced to cut costs to extend operations.
Donors say they will not fund a tribunal that does not meet international standards and have asked tribunal officials for assurances of its integrity.
“I would like to remind the international community of the urgent importance of bringing to closure one of history’s darkest chapters,” Ban said in a statement. “With the support of the international community, it is my hope that the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia will soon deliver long-overdue justice for the people of Cambodia.”
Pol Pot died April 15, 1998, and was cremated on a makeshift pyre before he was brought to trial for his role in Khmer Rouge policies.
Five former leaders are now in detention, awaiting trial under the tribunal, known officially as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.
The tribunal was originally budgeted at $56 million, but officials have asked for an additional $114 million and have been forced to cut costs to extend operations.
Donors say they will not fund a tribunal that does not meet international standards and have asked tribunal officials for assurances of its integrity.
“I would like to remind the international community of the urgent importance of bringing to closure one of history’s darkest chapters,” Ban said in a statement. “With the support of the international community, it is my hope that the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia will soon deliver long-overdue justice for the people of Cambodia.”
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