Update on the Khmer Rouge tribunal

By Michael J.W. Stickings

I've written a couple of times already about Cambodia's efforts to set up a tribunal to examine the genocidal crimes committed by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge three decades ago, as well as to judge the perpetrators (those still alive) -- see here and here. When last I posted, ten days ago, "procedural differences" threatened to sink the process. Specifically, there were differences between the foreign and Cambodian judges on the application of international legal standards and local law.

But it now seems that a deal may soon be reached:

Cambodian and international judges have resolved most of their differences over procedures for a planned Khmer Rouge tribunal, court officials say.

But a key disagreement about the role of foreign lawyers remains unresolved...

A final agreement has once again proved elusive but [court officials] say that most issues now only need fine-tuning, and the threatened walk-out of international officials failed to materialise.

The judges have called a full meeting of legal officials to approve the rules at the end of April.

Let's hope that justice, at long last, prevails.