UN REPRESENTATIVE ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CAMBODIA CONCERNED OVER KILLINGS OF JUDICIAL OFFICIALS

16 May 2003



The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Human Rights in Cambodia is deeply concerned about the recent murders affecting the Cambodian judiciary.

Not only are the killings of Judge Sok Sethamony of Phnom Penh's Municipal Court on April 23, and of Appeals Court clerk Chhim Dara on April 10, odious crimes, they could also undermine efforts to build a strong and independent judiciary in Cambodia. Judges, prosecutors and court staff cannot function effectively or credibly if they are subject to attack with impunity.

The Special Representative calls on the Cambodian authorities to conduct thorough and impartial investigations into these murders, and to prosecute those immediately responsible, as well as the people who ordered them.

He notes the recent arrests in the killing of Chhim Dara, and hopes that the prosecution in both these cases will be conducted in a fully transparent manner, and in complete accordance with Cambodian and international law.



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