Glenn Williams hosts Eye On The World, a weekly look at foreign affairs with Scoop's Selwyn Manning. This week: Cambodia – Four Khmer Rouge Leaders Stand Trial

A trial of four leaders of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge have gone on trial in Cambodia this week. Significant among them is 84-year-old "Brother Number Two" former state security chief Nuon Chea.

The trial is referred to as Case 002.

IMAGE ON SCREEN:
Skulls of Khmer Rouge victims.

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia has the job of investigating and putting to trial allegations of crimes against humanity committed while Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge reigned terror upon Cambodia's people, from 1975 to 1979, while establishing an extreme version of agricultural communism.

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Also on trial are:

79-year-old former president Khieu Samphan
85-year-old ex-foreign minister and "Brother Number Three" Ieng Sary
and Ieng Sary's 79-year-old wife, former social affairs minister Ieng Thirith.

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On June 14, the United Nations categorically rejected the media speculation that it had instructed the Co-Investigating Judges to dismiss the cases.

While noting that the Investigating Judges remain independent of the UN and come under the jurisdiction of Cambodia law, the United Nations stated that it will not comment on issues which remain the subject of judicial consideration.

Nor would it speculate on actions that should or should not be taken by the judges or prosecutors in future cases.

If the statement was designed to reassure those seeking justice, it did the opposite.

On April 29 2011, the Co-Investigating Judges announced that they have decided to conclude their investigation into Case 003.

The announcement shocked many, particularly those who were seeking to give testimony before the court set up to consider Khmer Rouge attrocities.

One such applicant was Rob Hamill, shown here in a clip taken immediately after the sentencing of Kaing Guek Eav (alias Duch) on July 26, 2010.

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As you heard there, Rob Hamill's brother Kerry was murdered by the Khmer Rouge after his yacht was blown off course and entered Cambodia waters, known then as Kampuchia.

Rob Hamill was able to testify in Case 001 against Duch, on the grounds that he was “directly” affected by crimes committed by Duch and the Khmer Rouge. Duch was sentenced to 35 years for his crimes – that equates to around 19 years yet to serve due to time already served.

Rob Hamill applied to testify again in the remaining Case 003 and 004 but his application was blocked by the Investigating Judges who deemed the definition of “directly” affected was open to reinterpretation.

That judgment was deemed classified and added to speculation that the Judges were cutting back in evidential testimony.

That in turn intensified speculation that the UN-backed trials may be abandoned.

SHOW WEBPAGE:
Leaked documents suggest UN backing off Khmer Rouge trials.

Information circulating in international press circles suggest political and financial pressures on the tribunal are raising doubts over whether there will be a Case 003.

Classified documents, that include the Investigating Judges rulings, have been leaked to Scoop and were published yesterday.

Included in those documents is a summary of allegations that details the Khmer Rouge crimes, as committed by Pol Pot and his leaders, including the four accused in Case 002.

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The allegations include:
The Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK)'s criminal policies called for the evacuation of cities, and the virtual enslavement of the entire population of Democratic Kampuchea (DK) in ruthlessly run and inhumane agricultural co-operatives, factories and worksites. Anything or anyone that the CPK perceived as a threat or an obstacle to its policies and ideology would be killed or destroyed, including all religions, ethnic differences, the “feudalist,” “capitalist,” and “bourgeoisie” classes and all perceived “enemies” or “traitors” in the population or amongst the CPK cadre.

In closing, clip of Pol Pot

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In an interview, Pol Pot said:

“First, my experience was the same as that of my movement.
We were new and inexperienced.
And events kept occurring one after the other, which we had to deal with.
In doing that we made mistakes, as I told you.
I admit it now and I admitted it in the notes I have written.
Whoever wishes to blame or attack me, is entitled to do so.
I regret I didn't have enough experience to totally control the movement.
On the other hand, with our constant struggle, this had to be done, together with others in the Communist world, to stop Kampuchea from becoming Vietnamese.”

SEE ALSO:

• Selwyn Manning & Alastair Thompson - Leaked Documents Suggest UN Backing Off Khmer Rouge Trials

Eye On The World broadcasts on KiwiFM and Radio Wammo at 7:40am on Tuesdays. Video on demand episodes also webcast on Scoop.co.nz.

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