Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) - Observers, relations of the victims, NGOs., religious communities in Cambodia, the man in the street, welcome the news that the International Cambodia Court instituted to examine war crimes committed by the Red Khmers in the period 1975-1979, will start its activity in 2008. Red tape and other obstacles overcome, judges of mixed nationality, Cambodians and members of the international community have been appointed for a three year mandate. The UN Court is being funded by UN members states, 38 million dollars and Cambodia 6.7 million dollars.
So far none of those responsible for crimes committed (an estimated 2 million victims) by the Red Khmer have been brought to court. The leader of the movement, Pol Pot, died nine years ago, the “butcher” Ta Mok died last year but other leading members of the regime, Khieu Samphan and Leng Sary, continue to live in Cambodia in total freedom.
In Cambodia some political leaders still nostalgic about the old regime are not in favour of a special Court. Other say that since most of those still alive are elderly and infirm, in the end only about 50 will be able to stand trial.
However observers and Cambodians insist on the symbolic value of the trial which the majority of the people seem to approve. “This act represents hope for a better future”, say the people of Cambodia who have waited for too long for justice to be done and for the massacres not to end in oblivion.
Almost 30 years later now the Cambodian people by means of a difficult path of research of the truth, identification of victims and executioners, could be reconciled with the dark pages of its memories and recent history. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/7/2007 righe 27 parole 278)
