Australia offers more funds for Khmer Rouge trial

Updated July 13, 2012 

Australia Network News 

Photo: Some of 8,000 skulls of victims of the Khmer Rouge are seen on display at the Cheoung Ek 'Killing Fields' memorial in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. (File photo: Reuters)

Map: Cambodia

Australia has announced it's providing an additional $1.4 million to help finance the trials of three Khmer Rouge leaders.

Pol Pot's Head of State Khieu Samphan, Foreign Minister Ieng Sary and 'Brother number two' Nuon Chea are facing charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, arising from their involvement in the starvation, torture and murder.

The Khmer Rouge is blamed for the deaths of at least 1.7 million people between 1975 and 1979.

The trials are the first genocide cases to be conducted in the country where the alleged offences occurred, since the Nuremberg Trials following World War Two.

Speaking from Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the $1.4 million would support judicial and legal costs and the hearing of witness testimony.

Australia's total commitment now stands at $19.7 million.

"These are among the most important international criminal trials in the last thirty years," Senator Carr said.

"The Cambodian 'killing fields' are etched in the memories of all Cambodians and great many of their friends and neighbours including Australia.

"During Pol Pot's reign at least 1.7 million Cambodians died from murder, torture, starvation or preventable disease. Millions more were driven from their homes.

"The world has a duty to see that those responsible face trial."