Associated Press
31st March 2010
The United States will contribute $5 million to the U.N.-backed genocide tribunal trying members of the communist Khmer Rouge.
U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Stephen Rapp announced the donation Wednesday at the end of a two-day visit to Cambodia.
The tribunal is seeking justice for the estimated 1.7 million people who died from execution, overwork, disease and malnutrition under the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge regime.
Donor countries have provided over $100 million to date in support of the tribunal, including $1.8 million from the United States in 2009.
The tribunal last year tried its first defendant, prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, for crimes against humanity, war crimes, murder and torture. Its verdict is expected in the next few months.
Four suspects being held for a second trial, which may begin by the end of this year, are the Khmer Rouge's top ideologist, Nuon Chea; former Foreign Minister Ieng Sary; his wife, former Social Affairs Minister Ieng Thirith; and former head of state Khieu Samphan. They face charges of genocide in addition to crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The tribunal is being conducted jointly by Cambodian and foreign jurists under U.N. auspices. Rapp said the $5 million was earmarked for the U.N. side of the operation.
Lars Olsen, a tribunal spokesman, said the contribution showed the strong support the tribunal enjoys from the international community and urged other nations to follow suit.
31st March 2010
The United States will contribute $5 million to the U.N.-backed genocide tribunal trying members of the communist Khmer Rouge.
U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Stephen Rapp announced the donation Wednesday at the end of a two-day visit to Cambodia.
The tribunal is seeking justice for the estimated 1.7 million people who died from execution, overwork, disease and malnutrition under the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge regime.
Donor countries have provided over $100 million to date in support of the tribunal, including $1.8 million from the United States in 2009.
The tribunal last year tried its first defendant, prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, for crimes against humanity, war crimes, murder and torture. Its verdict is expected in the next few months.
Four suspects being held for a second trial, which may begin by the end of this year, are the Khmer Rouge's top ideologist, Nuon Chea; former Foreign Minister Ieng Sary; his wife, former Social Affairs Minister Ieng Thirith; and former head of state Khieu Samphan. They face charges of genocide in addition to crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The tribunal is being conducted jointly by Cambodian and foreign jurists under U.N. auspices. Rapp said the $5 million was earmarked for the U.N. side of the operation.
Lars Olsen, a tribunal spokesman, said the contribution showed the strong support the tribunal enjoys from the international community and urged other nations to follow suit.
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