Civil Parties Discussed Case 001 with their National and International Co-Lawyers

ADHOC as part of an ongoing commitment to victim participation at the ECCC convened a meeting on Sunday, 14 June 2009 between Civil Party and their lawyers. 47 civil parties supported by ADHOC, and other CHRAC members, and their national and international co-lawyers met to discuss the progress of Case 001. Dr. Helen Jarvis, Head of the Victims’ Unit of the ECCC, and Mr. Kaisie Neou, Outreach Coordinator for the unit, also attended as guest speakers. After opening remarks by Mr. Latt Ky, Coordinator for ADHOC’s KRT/ICC Program, which organized the meeting, Dr. Jarvis and Kaisie Neou addressed the participants and took part in an extended question and answer session. In addition the civil parties heard from a representative from TPO (Transcultural Psychosocial Organization) about the psychological services that they offer to victims suffering from traumatic memories. Civil party lawyers also presented important legal issues for their clients to consider. The remainder of the day long meeting was dedicated to discussions amongst the civil parties and their lawyers relating to their experiences of the trial, their views on their representation and other pressing issues.

Following the meeting on Monday 15^th June ADHOC supported the Civil Parties to attend the trial proceedings at the ECCC. In the absence of any support to victims and civil parties from the tribunal Civil Parties have been dependant on ADHOC’s support to make their participation in the trials meaningful. ADHOC hopes that in the future the ECCC will take greater steps allow the majority of the Civil Parties who have a very low income to exercise their right to participate in the trials by providing funds for them travel from their homes to take court. ADHOC is also funding 5 Civil Party representatives to participate in the trial each week in order to ensure that the presence of victims of the Khmer Rouge in the court is guaranteed.

ADHOC will continue to organize regular meetings for Civil Parties and Civil Party Co-Lawyers and continue to support the victim’s attendance in the courtroom in order to assist efforts to make meaningful reality at the ECCC.