REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY SOK AN
Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Royal Government Task Force on the Khmer Rouge Trials
on
the delivery of the final judgment by the ECCC SUPREME COURT CHAMBER
IN THE CASE OF KAING GUEK EAV (DUCH)
3 February 2012
Today
is a historic day for our country and for all humanity. Since the Khmer
Rouge regime was overthrown on 7 January 1979, just over 33 years ago,
we have struggled to rebuild our society. At the same time, we have
never lost sight of the need to seek justice for the crimes committed
during those 3 years, 8 months and 20 days; for remembrance of the
victims; and to make sure such a tragedy will never recur.
The
road to reach today’s judgment has been long and rocky. Many of the
victims and the perpetrators of the crimes did not live to see it. Those
of us, who survived, have been anxiously awaiting today’s judgment.
Here
in Cambodia, a new type of court in the annals of international justice
was established -- a national court with international participation
and assistance. The ECCC has followed due process, and conducted a fair
trial in Case 001 of the director of the notorious S-21 prison for
crimes against humanity and war crimes. More than 100,000 people came to
the court to see the trial with their own eyes, while millions more
were able to follow it through live television and radio broadcasts. The
ECCC provided unprecedented victim participation as civil parties.
The
seven judges of the Supreme Court Chamber have today brought this
landmark case to its conclusion by making the final judgment. I take
this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to all who have
contributed to this process – the judges and prosecutors, lawyers, court
officials and staff, both national and foreign; and the people and
governments who have provided the funds – the friends of the ECCC.
And,
finally, I want to say to the survivors of S-21 and to the relatives
and friends of those who were imprisoned there and who did not survive:
today the people of Cambodia and all the world remember those who died,
and hope that this trial and the delivery of the final judgment bring
some relief for your pain and suffering.