France and Japan Draft Resolution to the UN, 2002

 

 

 

 

United Nations
General Assembly
A/C.3/57/L.70

Distr.: Limited
13 November 2002

Original: English

Fifty-seventh session
Third Committee
Agenda item 109 (b)
Human rights questions: human rights questions, including alternative
approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and
fundamental freedoms


France and Japan: draft resolution

Khmer Rouge trials


The General Assembly,

Recalling that the serious violations of Cambodian and international law
during the period of Democratic Kampuchea from 1975 to 1979 continue to
be matters of vitally important concern to the international community
as a whole,

Recognizing the legitimate concern of the Government and people of
Cambodia in the pursuit of justice and national reconciliation,
stability, peace and security,

Recognizing also that the accountability of individual perpetrators of
grave human rights violations is one of the central elements of any
effective remedy for victims of human rights violations and a key factor
in ensuring a fair and equitable justice system and, ultimately,
reconciliation and stability within a State,

Conscious that the opportunity to bring those responsible to justice may
soon be lost,

Recalling the request made in June 1997 by the Cambodian authorities for
assistance in responding to past serious violations of Cambodian and
international law,

Recalling also its resolution 56/169 of 19 December 2001, taking note of
Commission of Human Rights resolution 2002/89 of 26 April 2002, and
recalling further previous relevant resolutions,

Welcoming the efforts of, and the substantial progress made by, the
Secretary-General and the Government of Cambodia towards the
establishment of Extraordinary Chambers within the existing court
structure of Cambodia, with international assistance, for the
prosecution of crimes committed during the period of Democratic
Kampuchea,

Welcoming in particular the promulgation of the Law on the Establishment
of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the
Prosecution of Crimes Committed during the Period of Democratic
Kampuchea, and noting with appreciation the general provisions and
competence of the Law and its provision for a role for the United
Nations,

Noting the statements of the Secretary-General on 8 February and 20
August 2002 concerning negotiations between the Secretary-General and
the Government of Cambodia on the establishment of the Extraordinary
Chambers,

Welcoming the subsequent discussions between the Secretary-General and
the Government of Cambodia on the establishment of the Extraordinary
Chambers,

Welcoming also the Joint Communiqué of the thirty-fifth Ministerial
Meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, held in Brunei
on 29 and 30 July 2002, which, inter alia, expressed support for the
continued efforts of the Government of Cambodia to bring the senior
leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and those most responsible for serious
crimes committed to trial in accordance with international standards of
justice, fairness and due process of law and recognized the need for the
Government of Cambodia and the United Nations to cooperate in this
regard,

Desiring that the international community continue to respond positively
in assisting efforts to investigate the tragic history of Cambodia,
including responsibility for past international crimes such as acts of
genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the regime of
Democratic Kampuchea,

     1.   Requests the Secretary-General to resume negotiations, without
delay, to conclude an agreement with the Government of Cambodia, based
on previous negotiations, to establish Extraordinary Chambers consistent
with the provisions of the present resolution, so that the Extraordinary
Chambers may begin to function promptly;

     2.   Recommends that the Extraordinary Chambers should have
subject-matter jurisdiction consistent with that set forth in the Law on
the Establishment of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of
Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes Committed during the Period of
Democratic Kampuchea;

     3.   Recommends also that the Extraordinary Chambers should have
personal jurisdiction over senior leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and
those who were most responsible for the crimes referred to in paragraph
2 above;

     4.   Emphasizes that arrangements, as devised, in particular, by
the Royal Government of Cambodia, for the establishment of Extraordinary
Chambers should:
     (a)  Ensure that the Extraordinary Chambers exercise their
jurisdiction in accordance with international standards of justice,
fairness and due process of law, as set out in articles 14 and 15 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
     (b)  Include arrangements for an appellate chamber;

     5.   Emphasizes also the importance of ensuring the impartiality,
independence and credibility of the process, in particular with regard
to the status and work of the judges and prosecutors;

     6.   Appeals to the Government of Cambodia to ensure that persons
referred to in paragraph 3 above are brought to trial in accordance with
international standards of justice, fairness and due process of law, as
referred to in paragraph 4 above, and notes the assurances of the
Government of Cambodia in this regard;

     7.   Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General
Assembly on the implementation of the present resolution, in particular
on his consultations and negotiations with the Government of Cambodia
concerning the establishment of the Extraordinary Chambers, no later
than ninety days from the date of adoption of the resolution;

     8.   Also requests the Secretary-General, if necessary, to send a
team of experts to Cambodia as may be required for the preparation of
his report;

     9.   Further requests the Secretary-General to include in his
report recommendations for the efficient and cost-effective operation of
the Extraordinary Chambers, including the amount of voluntary
contributions of funds, equipment and services to the Extraordinary
Chambers, inter alia, through the offer of expert personnel, that may be
needed from States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental
organizations;

     10.  Appeals to the international community to provide financial,
personnel and other assistance to enable the early establishment and the
sustained operation of the Extraordinary Chambers.

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