Recent Developments at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia: December 2015

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) has made significant progress recently, including hearing testimony related to genocide against Cambodia's Cham and ethnic Vietnamese populations in the second trial of defendants Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan.

The court also charged Yim Tith, a suspect in Case 004, one of the two outstanding cases against second tier leaders that have been opposed by the government.

In addition, the accused in Case 003, Meas Muth, appeared personally for charging on a revised and shortened list of crimes. His appearance rendered moot the outstanding arrest warrant that Cambodia's Judicial Police had ignored.

However, the court’s progress must be balanced against its failure to hold oral arguments in the appeal of the Case 002.1 judgment against Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan. This report summarizes these developments.