15 February 2007
A New-York based legal group has urged a full probe into
corruption allegations against judges of the long-awaited Khmer Rouge
tribunal, prompting a quick dismissal Thursday by the tribunal's office.
The Open Society Justice Initiative, or OSJI, cited
allegations "that Cambodian court personnel, including judges, must kick
back a significant percentage of their wages to Cambodian government
officials in exchange for their positions on the court."
In a statement received Thursday, the OSJI called for the
allegations to be investigated "thoroughly, fairly and quickly." It
did not
cite the source of the accusations.
Helen Jarvis, a spokeswoman of the tribunal, which is
scheduled to begin hearings later this year, called the allegations
"unsubstantiated."
Jarvis, an Australian who helped the Cambodian government
set up the U.N.-backed tribunal, said she didn't know where the accusations
stemmed from. She said a routine financial audit of the tribunal was
underway but it has "absolutely nothing to do with any allegations."
The corruption accusations could, however, deal another
blow to the already troubled tribunal.
"If these allegations of corruption are confirmed, it
would strip the (tribunal) of its integrity and undermine its ability to
provide accountability for mass crimes," James A. Goldston, OSJI executive
director, was quoted saying in the statement.
The tribunal was created by a 2003 agreement between
bring those behind the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime to justice, the AP
report.
The radical policies of the now-defunct communist group,
which held power from 1975-79, led to the deaths of some 1.7 million people
from execution, overwork, disease and malnutrition.
After long delays, the tribunal is set to convene later
this year. But trials could face further delay because of continued
disagreement between Cambodian and foreign judges on draft rules for
governing the proceedings.
Copyright 2007