Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) today inaugurated the Resource Centre at an official ceremony at its new premises. The Resource Centre is the centerpiece of the ECCC’s legacy and public access point for information following the completion of judicial proceedings. The inauguration was followed by the launch of a short video series to disseminate information about the work of the ECCC.
“The ECCC is proudly announcing the inauguration of the Resource Centre and launch of the educational and outreach short video series,” said H.E. Tony Kranh, Acting Director of Administration of the ECCC. “The establishment of the ECCC Resource Center responds to the need to carry out broad outreach and educational work related to the trial process, open the archives to the public, and to monitor the implementation of projects that have been awarded to the Civil Parties and victims of the Khmer Rouge regime”, he added.
The ceremony was presided over by H.E. VONGSEY Vissoth, Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Council of Ministers and Chair of the Royal Government Task Force on the implementation of the ECCC Residual Functions.
“In order for the ECCC to perform its residual functions successfully in the future, the Royal Government of Cambodia, the United Nations, and the international community continue to support the ECCC, in particular wide dissemination of the ECCC archives and the case files of the ECCC trial proceedings to the general public, students and national and international researchers through the establishment of a Resource Centre which is the core element of information dissemination and promotion of the ECCC’s legacy”, said H.E. VONGSEY Vissoth.
“The Resource Centre consists of six components: (1) a library and research hub, (2) a new website which is being updated and upgraded in an innovative way, (3) a digital and hard copy archive in line with international standards, (4) a multi-purpose venue for organizing workshops and moot courts, (5) a consultation and exhibition venue, and (6) a remembrance and reflection space”, he explained
The co-chairs of the ECCC Friends Group, H.E. Atsushi UENO, Ambassador of Japan, and H.E. Jacques PELLET, Ambassador of France; H.E. Joseph SCHEUER, UN Resident Coordinator, Ambassador of Germany, Ambassador of European Union Delegation, Ambassador of Republic of Korea, and other members of implementing partners were present at the inauguration ceremony.
On the occasion of the event, the ECCC launched the “Educational and Outreach Video Series”, developed from documents, records and archives of the ECCC, which highlight a wide range of topics related to the trials and investigations over 16 years. The short video series will be an integral part of educational dissemination activities aimed at informing younger generations about the work of the ECCC. The first part of the video series was released on all the ECCC’s social media platforms including the Facebook Page, YouTube, Telegram, and TikTok. Successive episodes will be released twice a week.
The Resource Centre is located at ECCC residual premises, 1st Floor, Building 40, Russian Blvd. (Street 110), Sangkat Mittapheap, Khan 7 Makara, downtown Phnom Penh. The library and research space of the ECCC Resource Centre is available to the public from 2 October 2023, and it opens daily (Monday-Friday) from 09:00 to 20:00, and on weekends and official holidays from 09:00 to 18:00. Access is free of charge.
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NOTE TO EDITOR:
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) is a domestic judicial institution established in accordance with Cambodian law. The ECCC has jurisdiction to bring to trial senior leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and those who were most responsible for the crimes and serious violations of Cambodian penal law, international humanitarian law and custom that were committed during the period from 17 April 1975 to 6 January 1979.
Following completion of its judicial proceedings, the ECCC commenced residual functions in January 2023 for an initial period of three years. An essential part of these residual functions is the dissemination of information to the public regarding the work of the Extraordinary Chambers.
