The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) this morning broke ground for its Resource Centre Expansion, including the construction of victim consultation rooms, permanent exhibition hall on the ECCC accountability process, and a park for remembrance.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place in the ECCC’s premises in Phnom Penh under the presidency of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Addressing the function, the Premier expressed his appreciation for the achievements of the ECCC, saying that the court has promoted the dissemination of the bitter history of genocide that Cambodia had gone through, which has helped prevent this barbaric regime from recurring in the country.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet took the opportunity to recall all leaders who have brought peace to Cambodia as well as supported the ECCC’s establishment and process in bringing justice to the victims of the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime.
Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister also thanked all components in the process of the ECCC which successfully completed in late 2022.
From 2006 to 2023, the ECCC has spent a total of US$407 million, of which US$293 million was contributed by the international community, accounting for 72 percent, and US$67 million, equivalent to 16 percent, was the direct contribution from the United Nations, while the contribution of the Royal Government of Cambodia was US$47 million, equivalent to 12 percent.
In 16 years, the court archive comprises a total of 233,836 documents, equivalent to nearly 2.4 million pages in three languages: Khmer, English and French, said H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Office of the Council of Ministers.
H.E. Vongsey Vissoth added that the Royal Government will establish an institute to document, manage and serve as a research centre, share knowledge and provide information to the next generation, scholars and the general public to learn more about the genocide as well as the success and process of the ECCC.
For his part, Under-Secretary-General of UN for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel H.E. Miguel de Serpa Soares said Cambodia was the first country to call for the establishment of the first hybrid tribunal, with the ECCC in its country where crimes have occurred and the judicial process has been successful and has the support and recognition of the international community.
