News Articles
VSS to hold 4th Regional Forum in 2012 for 200 Civil Parties in Case 002 in Preah Sihanouk Province
The Victims Support Section (VSS) of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) is holding its 4th Regional Forum in 2012 for 200 out of 3.864 Civil Parties in Case 002 at Chhne Chulsa Hotel, Sihanouk Province, on Friday, 16 November 2012 at 8:00 a.m. (Civil Parties’ identities are protected).
Supreme Court Chamber to hear appeal against Ieng Thirith release conditions
The Supreme Court Chamber has scheduled an appeal hearing on Tuesday 13 November 2012 at 09:30 to hear oral arguments related to the Co-Prosecutors' appeal regarding the the conditions of Ieng Thirith's release. Relevant decisions and written submissions can be found onder "Related documents" in the column to the right.
Tentative Case 002 hearing schedule for the remainder of 2012
A tentative list of Case 002 hearings days for the remainder of 2012 is now available. Please note that this list is subject to any change deemed necessary by the Trial Chamber, and changes to the schedule may occur on short notice. You can consult the ECCC website to find the most updated version of the hearing schedule.There will be a judicial recess in Case 002 from 24 December 2012 to 7 January 2013. The Trial Chamber will reconvene on 8 January 2013.Hearing schedule for the remainder of 2012:http://www.eccc.gov.kh/en/event/court-schedule/
Declassified Case 001 documents now available online
Following the Supreme Court Chamber’s declassification of a number of strictly confidential and confidential documents in Case 001, the declassified documents which have made public can now be accessed through our website.Documents in English:http://www.eccc.gov.kh/en/Case001-DeclassifiedDocuments in Khmer:http://www.eccc.gov.kh/Case001-DeclassifiedDocuments in French:http://www.eccc.gov.kh/fr/Case001-Declassified
Mark Harmon sworn in as International Co-Investigating Judge
Newly appointed international Co-Investigating Judge Mark Harmon of the United States was sworn on 26 October, at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. He will continue the work in relation to the two remaining cases known as Cases 003 and 004, together with his counterpart, national Co-Investigating Judge You Bunleng.
Trial Chamber reduces number of weekly hearing days in Case 002/1
The Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) announces that effective from Monday 5 November 2012, it will reduce the number of hearing days and conduct proceedings Mondays through Wednesdays only.
The Court Report October 2012
The October issue of the Court Report highlights the conference on the legacies of the ECCC, the declassification of 1,700 documents associated with Case 001, Norway’s pledge of USD $1 million to the ECCC and the Supreme Court Chamber’s consideration of an appeal on Ieng Thirith’s release conditions. This month’s issue also features ECCC outreach with employees of a Sihanhoukville garment factory and Cham Muslims in Kratie province. Additionally, the issue records the disruption of the September hearing schedule due to Ieng Sary’s health concerns.
Evacuation of Phnom Penh in the Case 002 Closing Order
Below are paragraphs in the Closing Order related to the evacuation of Phnom Penh in April 1975. These paraphs forms part of the indictment in Case 002, and the information is allegations which will be tested through adverserial hearing of evidence during trial.
Special edition - Case 002: Release of Ieng Thirith
This special edition of the Court Report features frequently asked questions on Ieng Thirith’s release and fitness to stand trial. Additionally, an overview is given of the proceedings in Case 002 concerning accused Ieng Thirith since her arrest in 2007 until her release from pre-trial detention in September 2012.
Apology statements made by Kaing Guek Eav now available on video
In its judgement on appeals in Case 001 against Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch, the Supreme Court Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) affirmed the Trial Chamber's previous decision to compile and post on the ECCC's official website all statements of apology and acknowledgements of responsibility made by Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch during the course of the trial, including the appeal stage. The compilation and publication of these statements was a reparation award for the Civil Parties in Case 001.
Frequently asked questions related to the release of Ieng Thirith
On 16 September 2012, accused Ieng Thirith was released from detention following a court order. Below are answers to frequently asked questions on her release and fitness to stand trial. Q. Why was Ieng Thirith released from detention?
Hearing schedule for the Pchum Ben holiday period
Week commencing Monday 8 October: Document hearings on administrative structures, recently scheduled in memorandum E233, shall commence after the conclusion of the evidence of TCW-428. The Trial Chamber will then recess for the Pchum Ben holiday on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 October 2012.
Mr. Göran Sluiter assigned as foreign defence lawyer
The Defence Support Section of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia has assignedMr. Göran Sluiter as a foreign lawyer to represent a Suspect named in the Third Introductory Submission submitted by the International Co-Prosecutor to the Office of the Co-Investigating Judges on 7 September 2009. The Third Introductory Submission is part of the Case File in Case 004.
Norway makes a new contribution of NOK 6,000,000
The Government of Norway has made a new contribution of NOK 6,000,000 (approximately US$ 1 million) to the international component of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). With this latest contribution, Norway has provided financial assistance exceeding US$ 5 million to the ECCC.
New video outlines outreach at universities and high schools
This new video highlights part of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia's nationwide outreach campaign which aims to educate students at high schools and and universities across Cambodia. Since October 2009, staff members from the court have given lectures to more than 60,000 students.
Expert reports regarding Ieng Thirith's health made public
The Trial Chamber has reclassified the expert reports regarding IENG Thirith's health in order to provide the public with a fuller understanding of the issues underlying the experts' diagnosis of dementia (likely caused by Alzheimer's disease). In light of paragraph 3 of the 29 August 2012 report, the Trial Chamber consulted with the court-appoint medical experts prior to this reclassification. The Trial Chamber previously reclassified a medical report after it was discussed in depth at the hearing on IENG Thirith's fitness in August 2011.The reports are:
Transcripts of August trial management meetings made public
On 17 August 2012, the Trial Chamber held a Trial Management Meeting.This meeting was resumed and concluded on 27 August 2012. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss measures to streamline the current trial in Case 002/01 and to ensure that it may conclude as soon as possible. It also invited submissions from the parties regarding the Co-Prosecutors' proposal to expand the scope of this trial. Reflecting its principal purpose as a management meeting, these hearings were conducted in closed session.
Ieng Thirith released with provisional conditions
The President of the Supreme Court Chamber, acting pursuant to the Internal Rule 82 (6), deciding on the request to stay the Trial Chamber’s order to release unconditionally Accused Ieng Thirith, ruled that Ieng Thirith be released on the following provisional conditions:
Statement by the Co-Prosecutors regarding IENG Thirith
Today the Co-Prosecutors have appealed the Trial Chamber’s Decision issued yesterday to unconditionally release the Accused Ieng Thirith. The Trial Chamber held that Ieng Thirith is currently mentally unfit to stand trial for crimes against humanity alleged to have been committed during the period of Democratic Kampuchea. The Co-Prosecutors fully agree with the Trial Chamber that Ieng Thirith should be released from detention based on the findings of national and international experts that she is currently unfit to stand trial.
Trial Chamber decision on reassessment of Ieng Thirith's fitness to stand trial
On 13 September 2012, the Trial Chamber issued its Decision on Reassessment of Accused IENG Thirith’s Fitness to Stand Trial. On the basis of the court-appointed medical experts’ report and testimony, the Trial Chamber has today reaffirmed its prior finding that the Accused IENG Thirith suffers from a progressive, degenerative illness (likely Alzheimer’s disease) and that she remains unfit to stand trial. The experts have confirmed that all treatment options have now been exhausted and that the Accused’s cognitive impairment is likely irreversible.
ECCC to hold a conference on hybrid perspective on ECCC legacy - 13-14 September 2012 - Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh
A high-level conference on the legacies of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) will be held on 13-14 September 2012 at Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh.The legacy conference is jointly organized by the ECCC and the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) to foster debate on the legacies of the ECCC. The conference aims to provide a forum where different stakeholders and the broader public can consider the ECCC’s legacies in a domestic, regional and global context.
Supreme Court Chamber orders declassification of over 1,700 confidential documents
The Supreme Court Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia has completed its review of the classification of the 12,000 plus confidential and strictly confidential documents in the case file of Case 001. Among them, the Chamber has ordered that 1,749 documents be made public. These records include Democratic Kampuchea-era documents of victims’ “confessions” and biographies, witness statements, transcripts of in camera hearings and rogatory letters.
Ieng Thirith's Fitness to Stand Trial Hearing on 30-31 August
A hearing on Accused Ieng Thirith’s fitness to stand trial will take place on 30-31 August 2012 at the Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. The Chamber will hear findings of the court-appointed experts’ reassessment of her fitness in light of recent medical treatment.Thursday’s hearing will commence at 10:30 am while Friday’s hearing will begin at 9 am and may continue all day if necessary. All accredited media are invited to observe the hearing.
Australia Contributes AUD 1.4 Million to ECCC
The Australian Government has made a new contribution of AUD 1.4 million (approximately US$ 1.46 million) to the international component of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). The new donation, which was announced by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Bob Carr, during a visit to Phnom Penh in July 2012, has already been transferred to the United Nations.
Frequently asked questions about Ieng Thirith's fitness to stand trial
Below are answers to several frequently asked questions in relation to the Trial Chambers hearing on Ieng Thirith’s fitness to stand trial scheduled for 30 - 31 August. Q. What does “fitness to stand trial” mean?