Press Release
9 May 2006

Cartwright appointed Cambodian War Crimes Tribunal trial judge

Government House today confirmed that the Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright has been appointed as a trial judge for the Cambodia War Crimes Tribunal.

Dame Silvia has been selected as one of only two international judges in the Trial Chamber of the Tribunal which will conduct the trials. Three Cambodian judges are also in the Trial Chamber.

The appointment was made at a meeting of Cambodia's Supreme Council of Magistracy chaired by King Norodom Sihamoni. The Council appointed 17 Cambodian and 13 international officials for a variety of roles on the Tribunal (the full list is attached to this Press Release).

An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians died from starvation, overwork and execution from 1975 to 1979 when the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, controlled the country. Pol Pot died in 1998, and so far no member of his regime has been tried for crimes against humanity.

Tribunal prosecutors are expected to begin preliminary work in June, with the trial phase set to begin in 2007.

Dame Silvia's term as Governor-General of New Zealand comes to an end in early August 2006.

ENDS

Official List of National and International Judges and Prosecutors for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia as selected by the Supreme Council of the Magistracy on 4 May 2006 and appointed by Preah Reach Kret (Royal Decree) NS/RKT/0506/214 of His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia on 7 May 2006

1. Judges in the Trial Chamber:
Mr. Nil Nonn
Mr. Thou Mony
Mr. Ya Sokhan
Ms. Silvia Cartwright (New Zealand)
Mr. Jean Marc Lavergne (France)
(Reserve)
Mr. You Ottara
Ms. Claudia Fenz (Austria)

2. Judges in the Supreme Court Chamber:
H.E. Kong Srim
Mr. Som Sereyvuth
Mr. Sin Rith
Mr. Ya Narin
Mr. Motoo Noguchi (Japan)
Ms. Agnieszka Klonowiecka Milart (Poland)
Mr. Chandra Nihal Jayasinghe (Sri Lanka)
(Reserve)
Mr. Mong Monichariya
Mr. Martin Karopkin (USA)

3. Co Investigating Judges
Mr. You Bun Leng
Marcel Lemonde (France)
(Reserve)
Mr. Thong Ol
International (To be announced)

4. Co Prosecutors
Ms. Chea Leang
Mr. Robert Petit (Canada)
(Reserve)
H.E. Chuon Sun Leng
Mr. Paul Coffey (USA)

5. Pre Trial Chamber
H.E. Prak Kimsan
H.E. Ney Thol
Mr. Hout Vuthy
Mr. Rowan Downing (Australia)
Ms. Katinka Lahuis (Netherlands)
(Reserve)
Mr. Pen Pichsaly
International - none

ENDS

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Metservice: Where Will Snow Fall And What To Look Out For

The deep Antarctic air that is expected to sweep across the country this week is bringing very significant weather to many provinces.Here's the official MetService view of the key weather concerns for the country.

MetService Media and Communications Meteorologist Dan Corbett commented,"While snow will be a major issue for those in the South Island, wind and hail will affect many North Island districts."

Snow is expected to fall to sea level, or very near it, from Southland to South Canterbury from late Wednesday into Thursday and Friday. The snow level is expected to rise to 200m from about Christchurch northwards... More>>