The Khmer Rouge Tribunal: was it all worth it?
Photo left: Chinese President Hua Guofeng (right) welcomes Pol Pot (centre) and Ieng Sary to Beijing in 1977. Photo right: Ieng Sary at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
Davey Meelker
Ieng Sary, the former Khmer Rouge foreign minister, died today while he was standing trial for being one of the leaders of the regime responsible for killing around 2 million people. This is another setback for the tribunal that only convicted one person since it became operational in 2007. Ieng Sary’s wife, Ieng Thirith, who was also standing trial was released earlier because of her Alzheimer’s desease. Now, there are only two suspects left. Many blame the tribunal as unprofessional, corrupt and inefficient. Is the tribunal turning out to be a fiasco?
Why the Khmer Rouge Tribunal is necessary, despite criticism
Davey Meelker
The tribunal that is bringing the former Khmer Rouge leaders to justice is subject to a lot of criticism. It needs many millions of dollars more than originally budgeted, but donor countries hesitated to cough up more bucks in the past and will do the same in future when there is no significant improvement. Although much of the criticism makes sense, it is of huge importance that the tribunal will continue. Even if it means that is not done by internationally accepted standards.
