By Ek Tha
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 13, 2013 (PRU) – His Excellency
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An told E.U. Ambassador on Wednesday that
Cambodia is committed to bring justice for the victims of the Khmer Rouge even
if the budget shortfall for the tribunal continues to persist in the future.
His Excellency Dr. Sok An, who is also the Chairman of
the Royal Government Task Force on the Khmer Rouge Trials, said that the
Cambodian government will not allow the budget shortfall for the national side
of the Extraordinary Chamber within the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) to undermine
the court to bring justice for the victims of nearly 2 million people died
under the Democratic Kampuchea ruled the country from 1975 to early 1979. That
is to say Cambodia will abide by the law on the Establishment of the
Extraordinary Chambers, with inclusion of amendments as promulgated on 27
October 2004.
As of today, Cambodian staff have not yet received
payment of their salaries since last November because of the shortfall budget, forcing
the administration of the ECCC to put aside renewal of contracts for the Cambodian
staff of nearly 300.
The ECCC’s Cambodian Acting Director of Administration
can neither ask them to leave nor to continue working at the court since he is
uncertain when any new financial contribution will come, His Excellency Dr. Sok
An explained.
The Cambodian side of
the ECCC is short about $7 million for this year and is hoping that new donors
and friends of the court will come up with new contribution to meet the
shortfall.
Dr. Sok An said “we used to get contributions for the
national side of the budget from Japan, Germany, the U.K and Australia as well
as from the EU, but this year there have been no such contributions. We have to
find a solution to permit the court to continue its work.
He also said Cambodia’s
government spent in cash and in kind of about 10 per cent of the total
budget. Putting together the Cambodian
government contribution in kind and in cash, Cambodia has already paid $16.9
million from 2006 to 2012.
Cambodia has to face the reality that it cannot
further increase this already significant contribution without jeopardising the
country’s judicial reform program, as the funds for the ECCC already exceed the
commitment from the national budget to the country’s Supreme Court by 257% and
to the Appeals Court by 300%.
“I believe the financial difficulties exist not only
for Cambodia’s side, but also for the international side of the court,” His
Excellency Dr. Sok An said.
The E.U. Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain shared his concern
over the budget crisis for the national side of the court, and stated that he
is currently working with the Acting Director of Administration to overcome technical
obstacles to a quick disbursement of $300,000 which is part of its previous pledge
package for the ECCC. End.