Three press statements on the Khmer Rouge Trial – all issued on the same day of 20 October 2011

This afternoon H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Ms Patricia O’Brien, Under Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, the Legal Counsel of the United Nations, met at the Office of the Council of Ministers to discuss recent developments at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).

Both Parties reiterated their strong support for the work of the ECCC, their appreciation to the donors, and pride in its success achieved to date, including unprecedented public participation. They stressed the critical importance of Case 002 as one of the most significant cases in international judicial history, bringing to trial all the surviving senior leaders of a genocidal regime.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need for decision makers on both sides to discharge their responsibilities without allowing themselves to be distracted by intense speculation, pressure and interference from the media and other outside parties.

They welcomed the imminent Final Judgment in Case 001 and the announcement that the substantive trial in Case 002 will commence on 21 November 2011 and they expressed their desire that the judicial processes move forward speedily and smoothly.

H.E. Deputy Prime Minister, Sok An, and Ms. Patricia O’Brien, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs, the Legal Counsel, met this afternoon to discuss recent developments at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).

The Legal Counsel’s visit follows the resignation on 9 October 2011 of international Co-Investigating Judge Siegfried Blunk. In his press release of 10 October 2011, Judge Blunk linked his resignation to statements by senior officials of the Royal Government of Cambodia opposing the progress of Cases 003 and 004.

The Legal Counsel referred to the Secretary-General’s strong support for the work of the ECCC.

The Legal Counsel expressed concern regarding recent developments at the ECCC. She reiterated the United Nations’ consistent call upon all persons to respect and support the integrity and independence of the ECCC judicial process.

The Legal Counsel strongly urged the Royal Government of Cambodia to refrain from statements opposing the progress of Cases 003 and 004 and to refrain from interfering in any way whatsoever with the judicial process. She emphasized the obligation of the Royal Government of Cambodia to cooperate fully with the ECCC.

H.E. Deputy Prime Minister, Sok An, and Ms. Patricia O’Brien, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs, the Legal Counsel, met this afternoon to discuss recent developments at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).

The Legal Counsel’s visit follows the resignation on 9 October 2011 of international Co-Investigating Judge Siegfried Blunk. In his press release of 10 October 2011, Judge Blunk linked his resignation to statements by senior officials of the Royal Government of Cambodia opposing the progress of Cases 003 and 004.

The Legal Counsel referred to the Secretary-General’s strong support for the work of the ECCC.

The Legal Counsel expressed concern regarding recent developments at the ECCC. She reiterated the United Nations’ consistent call upon all persons to respect and support the integrity and independence of the ECCC judicial process.

The Legal Counsel strongly urged the Royal Government of Cambodia to refrain from statements opposing the progress of Cases 003 and 004 and to refrain from interfering in any way whatsoever with the judicial process. She emphasized the obligation of the Royal Government of Cambodia to cooperate fully with the ECCC.