Tribunal, Organizations To Coordinate Outreach

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
07 August 2009

Khmer Rouge tribunal officials met with local rights organizations Friday in a bid to strengthen cooperation between the court and civil society and to improve outreach to victims of the regime.

Outreach activities for the tribunal are currently conducted separately among non-governmental organizations and the court’s Victims Unit.

“The aim is to avoid repetitive outreach activities, which cause a waste of resources and a waste of time and make trouble,” said Kassie Nou, coordinator for outreach activities of the Victims Unit.

The groups met Friday to discuss ways they might work together to inform the public about the proceedings and encourage them to file testimony or complaints as civil parties in upcoming trials.

The tribunal is currently undertaking its first trial, for Khmer Rouge prison chief Duch, who faces atrocity crimes charges.