Southeast Asia

The following Justice Initiative projects are underway in, or relevant to, Southeast Asia:

International Justice

International: Hybrid Tribunals
The international community and national governments are working together to fill what has been called ‘the impunity gap’ by providing assistance and encouragement for trials at the national level. One important means of so doing has been–and is likely to continue to be–the establishment of ‘hybrid’ tribunals such as those in Sierra Leone, East Timor and Cambodia.

Cambodia: Working Group on the Extraordinary Chambers
The Working Group on the Extraordinary Chambers is an ad hoc coalition of international non-governmental organizations and individuals with expertise in international law and background working in Cambodia. The Working Group is dedicated to ensuring that the investigation and prosecution of Khmer Rouge crimes by the Extraordinary Chambers is fair, full and credible, and that it contributes to reconciliation efforts and advancement of the rule of law sought by Cambodians. Read Standards for the Treatment of Victims and Witnesses in and Standards for Judicial Nominations to Cambodia's Extraordinary Chambers.

East Timor: Unfulfilled Promises
A report by the Justice Initiative and the Coalition for International Justice entitled Unfulfilled Promises: Achieving Justice for Crimes Against Humanity in East Timor, was sent to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, relevant UN agencies and missions, the core group of states supporting justice for East Timor, and leading international and local NGOs. The report, based on extensive research, interviews and discussions in Indonesia and East Timor during August and September 20, calls for an international commission to oversee justice in the country.

Legal Capacity Development

Cambodia: Legal Education Clinic
In early 2003, the Justice Initiative began to explore the feasibility and usefulness of promoting the development of clinical legal education in Cambodia. Initial contacts revealed keen interest at Pannasastra University (PUC), a newly-established English-language institution of higher education in Phnom Penh. As a result of these discussions, a clinic was launched at PUC during the 2003-04 academic year. The Justice Initiative assisted in this process, including through the placement at PUC of an American attorney to act as a clinical fellow. The fellow is working with PUC faculty and administration to establish and administer a clinic and train Cambodian staff during the academic year. The clinic opened in late 2003 and was formally launched in May 2004.