The second meeting of the Royal Government’s Task Force on the ECCC was held on March 12, 2025, focusing on the establishment of a legacy institution to preserve the Court’s achievements in Cambodia. The meeting recognized contributions by former Prime Minister HUN SEN, noted the ECCC’s impact on peace and reconciliation, and emphasized ongoing cooperation across ministries. Plans for a commemorative event on May 20, 2025, were also discussed to promote awareness and prevent future atrocities.
On March 12, 2025, the second meeting of the Royal Government’s Task Force on cooperation with the United Nations and development partners regarding the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) was held at the Council of Ministers Friendship Building. This meeting was chaired by H.E. VONGSEY Vissoth, who is the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Council of Ministers. Important attendees included H.E. KEO Remy, Senior Minister and Chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Commission, alongside representatives from 14 pertinent ministries and institutions.
H.E. Deputy Prime Minister VONGSEY Vissoth commenced the meeting by recognizing the contributions of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, the former Prime Minister. He commended HUN SEN as the visionary architect behind the establishment of the ECCC, a hybrid court model that facilitates victim participation in judicial proceedings. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted how this initiative has significantly contributed to national reconciliation and peace, aligning with the Paris Peace Accords and enhancing territorial unity.
During the meeting, H.E. HEM Kranh Tony, the Acting Director of the ECCC Administration Office, presented a progress report that praised the accomplishments of the ECCC from 2006 to 2022. The report emphasized the Court’s role in preserving a valuable legacy that strengthens peace and promotes national reconciliation through education on historical truth, ultimately working to prevent future atrocities.
The agenda also included discussions on a Draft Concept Paper aiming to establish an ECCC Legacy Institution. This institution would focus on managing archives, creating a museum documenting the ECCC’s accountability process, promoting training, encouraging research on the achievements of the ECCC, enhancing education about genocide prevention, and forming partnerships with national and international entities.
Further elaborating on the prospective ECCC legacy institution, H.E. VONGSEY Vissoth noted that it would serve as a national body that invites collaboration from national and international organizations. Its overarching goal is to promote the legacy of the ECCC while supporting victims and fostering a culture of peace, development, and universal justice in Cambodia.
The meeting concluded with plans for a more expansive celebration on National Day of Remembrance, scheduled for May 20, 2025. The goal is to promote the ECCC’s achievements broadly, thereby enhancing Cambodia’s international standing and actively working to prevent future genocides. H.E. Deputy Prime Minister VONGSEY Vissoth encouraged all relevant ministries to engage energetically in this cooperative effort to sustain long-lasting peace and development in Cambodia.
The second meeting of the Royal Government’s Task Force emphasized the critical role of the ECCC in Cambodia’s pursuit of justice and reconciliation. It recognized the importance of establishing a legacy institution to preserve the Court’s achievements and educate future generations. The meeting concluded with a strong commitment to ongoing collaboration among ministries to promote peace and prevent the occurrence of atrocities in Cambodia, as well as a plan for an upcoming commemorative event.
Original Source: www.phnompenhpost.com
