UN Reviewing Reports of Tribunal Corruption
A UN oversight committee in New York is reviewing allegations of corruption from Cambodian staff at the Khmer Rouge tribunal. (05 Augus
A UN oversight committee is reviewing allegations of corruptionfrom Cambodian staff at the Khmer Rouge tribunal, a UN spokesman said Tuesday. The review comes following allegations brought forward in June. "They came forward themselves, and we applaud them fortheir bravery and for their willingness," the spokesman, Peter Foster, said. "It is notonly important for the United Nations, it's important for the government of Cambodia andfor the entire court. At UNDP and the donors, all of them have said thatcorruption and irregularities will not be tolerated." The tribunal monitoring group Open Society JusticeInitiative in 2007 raised allegations of kickbacks, claiming some Cambodianofficials allegedly paid money to join the hybrid tribunal. "The file is now in New York and is being reviewed," Foster said. "What is being reviewed is to make surethis allegation has merit or does not have merit. And then action will be takenbased on the review." More than one allegation of irregularities and corruptionhas been filed, he said, declining to comment further.