Voice of America quotes John Ciorciari about funding for the Khmer Rouge Tribunal

February 22, 2012

The Voice of America reports that the Khmer Rouge Tribunal has requested $92 million from a group of 15 donor countries to cover operational costs the next two years.

Backed by the United Nations, the genocide tribunal is seeking justice for almost two million deaths in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Assistant Professor of Public Policy John D. Ciorciari has been a legal advisor to the Documentation Center of Cambodia, which promotes historical memory and justice for the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, since 1999.

According to the author, Ciorciari "called the budget crisis a game of chicken."

"Donors may demand that the Cambodian government recognize the new Swiss judge before providing additional disbursements," Ciorciari said. "Yet case 002 gives donors a strong reason to keep the tribunal functioning, and it will be surprising if donors rebuff the Cambodian government entirely in New York this week."