On August 15, 2024, four international interns who had completed their internships at Research Center of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) presented their research papers on the ECCC’s work and shared their findings to ECCC staff and around 40 Cambodian students from the Cambodian University of Specialties (CUS). This presentation is a key component of the internship program, aimed at disseminating knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of the ECCC's role among Cambodian students.
The four interns are:
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Ms. Ambre Abrahami from France: “An Assessment of the Efficiency of the ECCC as an Accountability Mechanism to Pursue Transitional Justice”
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M. Jonathan Formella from the United States: “Political Ideology and Its Impact on the Development of Cambodian Law”
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M. Nicholas Lower from the United States: “Defining Protected Groups Under the Genocide Convention: Reinterpretation of the Genocide Convention”
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Ms. Charlotte Imhof from Switzerland: “Exploitation of Vulnerabilities under the Khmer Rouge from the IHL Perspective”
The interns highlighted that during their time at the ECCC, they gained valuable experiences from the court proceedings and deepened their knowledge of Cambodia's history. They also mentioned that the skills and knowledge acquired during their internships would greatly benefit their future careers and encouraged Cambodian students to learn from the ECCC, while also sharing these experiences with their international peers.
Ms. Charlotte Imhof, who previously worked at the International Criminal Court, noted the advantage of being directly involved in the context where the atrocities occurred. “This experience has significantly enhanced my understanding of the historical context and the realities of the events. It underscores the importance of adapting methods to different cultural contexts and maintaining a focus on the people we are serving,” she remarked.
M. Jonathan Formella, law student from the Columbia Law School in New York, expressed enthusiasm about engaging with Khmer youth, both students and legal trainee. “The potential among Cambodian students is remarkable. I’m excited to see their interest in laws and cultures, and I hope they recognize their potential to become influential leaders. I look forward to seeing them share their experiences with peers in the U.S. as well,” he stated.
The presentations were well-received by the attendees, including Ms. Cheang Salita, legal intern at ECCC and a third-year law student at the Royal University of Law and Economics. She appreciated the clarity provided on the Khmer Rouge regime and the ECCC’s judicial process. “The opportunity to intern and conduct research at the ECCC is invaluable. It enhances students' knowledge and skills in research methodologies and data collection, which are crucial for producing high-quality reports,” she commented.
H.E. Thong Socheat, Senior Management Officer of the ECCC Office of Administration, extended his gratitude to the interns for their dedication and successful completion of their research projects. He noted that the hands-on experience gained at the ECCC is essential for their future professional development.
H.E. Thong Socheat also highlighted that after the conclusion of judicial proceedings, the ECCC continues to offer opportunities for both local and international students to gain practical experience in various fields, including ICT, communications, archives, and judicial proceedings. In addition to gaining practical experience, all interns receive additional training on specific research topics of interest, exploring the application of international criminal law, international humanitarian law, follow-up hearings, court procedures, residual functions after judicial proceedings, and hands-on work in relevant ECCC departments.
