Controversy at the Cambodia tribunal

Dutch lawyer debarred after challenging authorities

By our correspondent Michel Maas*
02-02-2008

It had all the hallmarks of a bad omen. The tuk-tuk driver couldn't find Phnom Penh's Royal Palace. It's like a Paris cabbie telling you he doesn't know where the Eiffel Tower is.

Dutch lawyer Victor Koppe was almost late for the session at the appeals court, across from the palace, where he was to be sworn in as a member of the Cambodian bar. An unlikely coincidence, he thought, could this be a conspiracy?

Earlier this week Mr Koppe ruffled feathers by demanding the resignation of one of the Cambodian judges of the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal, due to start its work on Monday.

The judge in question, Ney Thol, is a prominent member of the ruling Communist party and an army general, and presided over Cambodia's military tribunal - not someone to be easily removed. On Monday, the court is to begin hearing Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's most senior surviving leader, accused of being responsible for the murder of 1.7 million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979.

Of the five top leaders the tribunal is to try, he is the highest-ranking. Also known as "Brother Number Two", Nuon Chea was second-in-command to Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, who died in 1997.

UnauthorisedIt didn't take long before the Dutch lawyer was confronted with the consequences of challenging Cambodia's authorities. On Friday, Cambodia's bar refused to swear him in. By signing a petition requesting the judge's removal before being sworn in, the Dutch lawyer overstepped his bounds and was debarred as a punishment.

Ly Tai Seng, the bar's secretary-general, was quick to deny that his dismissal was a reprisal by the Cambodian government. Unasked, he emphasised there had been "no political pressure".

Tribunal in perilThe bar's ruling threatens to jeopardise the tribunal's procedures. Mr Koppe warned that if the court barred him from defending Mr Chea, no other lawyers would attend the hearing either. And without lawyers, he explained, there can be no hearing.

Earlier this week Mr Koppe ruffled feathers by demanding the resignation of one of the Cambodian judges of the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal, due to start its work on Monday.
The judge in question, Ney Thol, is a prominent member of the ruling Communist party and an army general, and presided over Cambodia's military tribunal - not someone to be easily removed. On Monday, the court is to begin hearing Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's most senior surviving leader, accused of being responsible for the murder of 1.7 million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979.
Of the five top leaders the tribunal is to try, he is the highest-ranking. Also known as "Brother Number Two", Nuon Chea was second-in-command to Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, who died in 1997.
UnauthorisedIt didn't take long before the Dutch lawyer was confronted with the consequences of challenging Cambodia's authorities. On Friday, Cambodia's bar refused to swear him in. By signing a petition requesting the judge's removal before being sworn in, the Dutch lawyer overstepped his bounds and was debarred as a punishment.

Ly Tai Seng, the bar's secretary-general, was quick to deny that his dismissal was a reprisal by the Cambodian government. Unasked, he emphasised there had been "no political pressure".

Tribunal in perilThe bar's ruling threatens to jeopardise the tribunal's procedures. Mr Koppe warned that if the court barred him from defending Mr Chea, no other lawyers would attend the hearing either. And without lawyers, he explained, there can be no hearing.