LONGHENG: Information Ministry required media system to broadcast live about Duch’s Verdict

Information Ministry required media system to broadcast live about Duch’s Verdict


Ministry of information has informed to radio and television channels across the country to broadcast live about the issue of verdict of former head of prison –S2, Duch (case001) which will be announced by the extraordinary chamber in the court of Cambodia (ECCC) on July 26.
"So the Cambodian people who are the victims of the genocide Democratic Kampuchea regime will deepen the understanding broadly on the important event and it will be historic day,” H.E Khieu Kanharith, information minister said in his letter on June 21 to the presidents of radio and television stations association to introduce their deputies to broadcast directly about the event. Ministry would like to require the radio and television to pay attention on the live broadcasting this event, the letter signed by information minister added.
Youk Chhang, director Document Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) said that his center also will contribute to broadcasting live about this event in some communes in Kompong Cham, Pursat, Kandal, Takeo, Kompong Thom, and Svay Rieng provinces. The village chiefs, victims and perpetrators in those communes have been actively engaged in the ECCC processing. “The people will hear and see with the judgment,” he added. We noted that Case 002 is expected to begin until 2011 and no verdict will be issued before 2013.
The Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia has announced July 1 that the judgment hearing in Case 001 concerning the accused Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, will commence at 10 o’clock in the morning on Monday 26 July. It is expected not to extend beyond lunchtime. It added that the judgment hearing will be open to the public and for the benefit of the public, the ECCC has made a special arrangement through the Ministry of Information those members of the TV and Radio Association of Cambodia will broadcast the proceedings live throughout Cambodia .
“It is expected that all major national networks including the National Television of Cambodia (TVK) and radio stations such as the National Radio of Cambodia (AM918 and FM105.75) broadcast the judgment hearing. The court encourages people to follow the proceedings through live broadcasts,” it noted.

KAING Guek Eav allegedly chaired the headquarters of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK) Special Branch of the secret police (Santebal, called Office S-2) during most of its existence between 1975 and 1979. He is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes, as well as premeditated murder and torture pursuant to the 1956 Cambodian Penal Code. KAING Guek Eav was transferred to the ECCC Detention Centre on 30 July 2007.

After the initial hearing on 17 and 18 February 2009, the trial on the substance commenced on 30 March and concluded on 27 November 2009. During the 77 days of trial, 9 expert witnesses, 17 fact witnesses, 7 character witnesses and 22 Civil Parties were heard before the Trial Chamber. More than 31,000 people followed the proceedings at the court building.
Currently, the extraordinary chamber in the courts of Cambodia (ECCC) charged five high responsible leaders of Khmer rouge including Duch, former foreign minister Ieng Sary, social minister Ieng Thirith, national assembly president Noun Chea, head of state Khieu Samphan against war crimes and crime against humanity.
In a separate case, the Japanese embassy also on July 2 contributed additional assistance of over 2 million US dollars to national component at ECCC. ###