New Report by the Open Society Justice Initiative Finds Critical Needs at Khmer Rouge Tribunal

NEW YORK—The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia must take urgent action to address serious challenges confronting the court, according to a report released today by the Open Society Justice Initiative.

As the court moves into its investigations phase, immediate steps must be taken on an array of issues, including:

• getting the courtrooms ready for pre-trial hearings, which are expected to start in a few months;
• providing protection and support to potential witnesses;
• making the court's operations more accessible to the Cambodian public through enhanced outreach; and
• instituting more transparent reporting on the court's financial and administrative operations.

Without prompt attention to these and other needs, further delays will likely plague the court and erode public confidence, the report warns.

"The [court] has achieved a great deal in its first 18 months," said James A. Goldston, executive director of the Open Society Justice Initiative. "The adoption of internal rules last week marked a significant milestone for the court. But the Extraordinary Chambers still has much to do if it is to fulfill its mandate."

The 24-page report recognizes the court's achievements since it officially opened its doors, and also highlights the key tasks the court needs to tackle in coming months so the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia can be fully prepared for trials in early 2008.

The report highlights four key areas for action: enhancing the court's independence and impartiality; securing compliance with due process and fair trial standards; fostering transparency and public engagement; and further developing the capacity and effectiveness of court operations. The report provides recommendations to the court, the United Nations, donor states, and Cambodian nongovernmental organizations on steps they can take to improve the court's performance.

Since 2003, the Justice Initiative has assisted the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia through technical assistance, advocacy efforts and court monitoring. Last week, the court's judges adopted a set of internal rules which will govern the work of the tribunal. The passage of these rules paves the way for the formal investigative phase to start. The Justice Initiative's report looks ahead to see how the court can meet the challenges before it.