Political Sacravatoons: "Xmer Scout Group"

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com/)

Political Sacravatoons: "The Spokesmen"

Cartoon by Sacrava (in the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com/)

Head of Tribunal Victim Unit Under Fire

By Kong Sothanarith,
VOA Khmer, Original report from Phnom Penh
09 June 2009

Defense lawyers and monitors at the Khmer Rouge tribunal are unhappy with the Australian head of the Victims Unit, which is responsible for outreach and help for civil parties at the UN-backed court.

“The head of this unit should be Cambodian, and the Cambodian government should replace her,” said Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, an independent research group.

Helen Jarvis, who had headed public affairs operations at the court and recently moved to the Victims Unit, is also facing charges of political bias. Tribunal officials say they will hold a press conference on the matter Wednesday.

In a press conference last week, Micheal Pestman, lawyer for “Brother No. 2” Nuon Chea, said that a lack of impartiality by Jarvis, who is a former adviser to the government, affected the fairness of the tribunal.

“It will be a danger for the proceedings,” said Ang Udom, a defense lawyer for former foreign minister Ieng Sary. “We must think that Mrs. Jarvis is connected with policy in Cambodia and in her country. Will she be able to maintain independence?”

Jarvis declined to comment, saying the matter “will be handled by the court.”

Jarvis was moved to replace Keat Bophal, who resigned from the Victims Unit earlier this year.

Jarvis was also a member of the government task force to establish the tribunal.

“We can’t be at the same time head of Victims Unit, an adviser to the government and a member of the task force,” Youk Chhang said.

A non-Cambodian in charge of victims will have problems “because of cultural and language problems,” he said.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said Jarvis was the right person for the job. “She is capable,” he said. “She can speak Khmer, English and also French.”

Government Critics Abused by Courts: Group

By Chun Sakada,
VOA Khmer, Original report from Phnom Penh
09 June 2009

The Cambodia Watchdog Council on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Hun Sen to drop a suit against an opposition lawmaker, claiming the courts are being used to stymie critics of the government.

A rash of defamation suits and criminal cases against incitement have appeared in recent weeks in the courts, including the suit of Hun Sen against Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian Mu Sochua, who herself is suing the premier for defamation, for allegedly lewd remarks in the 2008 election campaign.

The head of a non-governmental agency and the editor of an opposition newspaper are also facing lawsuits and criminal offenses in Phnom Penh Municipal Court after offending senior officials, said Rong Chhun, a member of the Watchdog Council.

“Our national leaders do not accept constructive criticism from critics, to consider and to resolve, but the government uses the court system to cover their wrongdoing and has no courage to accept the facts,” he said in a statement.

The use of the courts to “pressure and silence critics” was “threatening freedom of expression,” he said.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan denied the charges, saying the government was working to “strengthen the rule of law and protect people’s rights and freedoms.”