Hard up Khmer Rouge Tribunal calls for donations

Feb 17, 2012, 7:55 GMT

Phnom Penh - Officials at the cash-strapped Khmer Rouge Tribunal were to travel to New York to request 89 million US dollars in funding for the next two years, a spokesman said Friday.

A total of 317 Cambodians working at the war crimes court, including judges, prosecutors and legal officers, have not been paid since October due to a lack of international donations.

Staffers have requested permission to stop work to look for alternative jobs to support their families, court spokesman Neth Pheaktra said.

The court's administrative head Kranh Tony and deputy Knut Rosandhug were scheduled to leave for New York on Monday.

'We are optimistic that donors will pledge more financial assistance,' the spokesman said.

The proposed budget of 89 million US dollars for 2012 and 2013 is to be considered by a steering committee of representatives from the key donor countries, which are Japan, United States, Germany, Britain, France and Australia.

The committee is then to pass it on to the nearly 30 other states which have expressed an interest in supporting the proceedings.

The tribunal is investigating crimes against humanity during the Khmer Rouge's 1975-79 rule, during which 1.7 million to 2.2 million people died, according to estimates.

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