Lawyers Urge Khmer Rouge Victims to File
The participation of victims adds credibility to the tribunal process, but more complaints are needed before Duch is tried, a group sai
The international group Lawyers Without Borders has made anappeal for more victims of jailed Khmer Rouge prison chief Duch to come forwardwith complaints for the tribunal, as Duch's trial approaches. "It is necessary that victims express their rights atthis time in order not to be late because the first case [of investigation ofDuch] has been closed, and victims have until the end of July, 2008" to filecomplaints, the group said in a statement Tuesday. The investigation of charges against Duch closed May 15, thefirst case of five accused Khmer Rogue leaders to be tried. No trial date hasbeen scheduled. Victims complaints lend "more credibility" to theprocess, "by showing that the victims are concerned with thetribunal," said Jean-Baptiste de Seze, coordinator of Lawyers WithoutBorders in Cambodia."I believe there are only around 15 complaints against the first case, among150,000 or 160,000 victims. That means the complaints are not many." The courts have received more than 1,300 total complaints so far, said Keat Bophal, director of the Victim's Unit of the tribunal. Duch's case has received more than 10 complaints from civilparties, she said. "The participation of victims as civil parties is veryimportant, because they will not only provide the evidence to the courts, butwhat they bring will be kept as a historical document related to theDemocratic Kampuchea regime," she said. Lawyers Without Borders, which has 10 French and twoCambodian lawyers in the country, is willing to help victims file theircomplaints, de Seze said.