November 24, 2006

International Bar Association Cancels Legal Training for Cambodian Genocide Trial

By The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The International Bar Association has canceled a scheduled training program for Cambodian attorneys seeking to participate in the upcoming Khmer Rouge genocide trial, saying Friday it could not work around the obstacles created by Cambodia's main lawyer's group.

The London-based IBA had planned to train Cambodian attorneys to represent defendants in the long-awaited genocide trial of surviving Khmer Rouge leaders that is being jointly organized by Cambodia and the United Nations. The tribunal could begin next year.

The plan had angered the Cambodian Bar Association, which accused the international group of encroaching on its sovereignty, saying that under Cambodia law the local bar was the only body mandated to regulate legal professionals in the country.

Ky Tech, president of Cambodian Bar Association, called the planned training illegal on Thursday and prohibited Cambodian lawyers from taking part in the IBA's training program, scheduled to start Monday.

The IBA's executive director, Mark Ellis, responded in a statement Friday, saying that the training was intended to improve the quality of legal services and the administration of justice in Cambodia but the group was unable to operate with the hurdles posed by the Cambodian Bar Association.

Ellis questioned the group's motives and called their actions a "disturbing development" that places "obstacles in the path of bringing those accused of international crimes to trial."

"The prohibition by the Cambodian Bar is part of a wider scheme of opposition designed to obstruct the operation of the tribunal," the IBA said. "In consequence, the IBA has canceled the program."

Ky Tech dismissed the accusation that his group was standing in the way of justice.

"We are happy to see Cambodian lawyers learn from experienced foreign lawyers," he said. "But we are also unhappy with any acts encroaching on our rights."

He said the IBA's decision to cancel its training was "appropriate."

The tribunal was created by a 2003 agreement between Cambodia and the United Nations after years of difficult negotiations to try to seek justice for crimes committed when the Khmer Rouge held power from 1975-79. The radical policies of the now-defunct communist group led to the deaths of some 1.7 million people from execution, overwork, disease and malnutrition.

Prosecutors are currently working on building cases for trials that could start sometime next year. They are expected to indict about 10 defendants, including the few surviving top Khmer Rouge leaders.

The Associated Press