UN urges Cambodia not to interfere in work of genocide tribunal

[News_Editor]

UN urges Cambodia not to interfere in work of genocide tribunal

2011-10-21 19:21:28 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations has strongly urged the Cambodian government to not interfere in the UN-backed tribunal set up to try those responsible for mass killings and other crimes committed under the Khmer Rouge in the late 1970s.

Patricia O'Brien, the UN Legal Counsel, met with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An in the Cambodian capital to discuss recent developments at the tribunal. Last week, Judge Siegfried Blunk resigned from the tribunal after acknowledging that senior government officials were opposing the progress of what are known as Cases 003 and 004.

The cases concern senior Khmer Rouge officials suspected of being responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. O'Brien voiced concern about the recent developments and reiterated the UN's call on everyone to respect the integrity and independence of the tribunal's judicial process.

"The Legal Counsel strongly urged the Royal Government of Cambodia to refrain from statements opposing the progress of Cases 003 and 004 and to refrain from interfering in any way whatsoever with the judicial process," the statement noted.

Up to three million people died under the regime in what is widely recognized as genocide. The Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-10-21