Wednesday, 6 August 2008

UN Reviewing Reports of Tribunal Corruption

By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
05 August 2008

A UN oversight committee is reviewing allegations of corruption from Cambodian staff at the Khmer Rouge tribunal, a UN spokesman said Tuesday.

The review comes following allegations brought forward in June.

"They came forward themselves, and we applaud them for their bravery and for their willingness," the spokesman, Peter Foster, said. "It is not only important for the United Nations, it's important for the government of Cambodia and for the entire court. At UNDP and the donors, all of them have said that corruption and irregularities will not be tolerated."

The tribunal monitoring group Open Society Justice Initiative in 2007 raised allegations of kickbacks, claiming some Cambodian officials allegedly paid money to join the hybrid tribunal.

"The file is now in New York and is being reviewed," Foster said. "What is being reviewed is to make sure this allegation has merit or does not have merit. And then action will be taken based on the review."

More than one allegation of irregularities and corruption has been filed, he said, declining to comment further.

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