But the vote was marred by the absence of many political leaders, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, prompting speculation that, once again, the killers of the Khmer Rouge might escape justice. “If our rulers had their way, they would not have a tribunal at all,” says Lao Mong Hay, director of the Khmer Institute for Democracy. He cites “continued international pressure” as the only means of ensuring justice. International pressure is what has got the tribunal this far, and many human-rights groups fear that this scheme leaves too much control in Cambodia’s hands. Kek Galabru, founder of local human-rights group Licadho, told NEWSWEEK that Cambodia consistently shows “its judiciary is not up to the task.”
But the foreign diplomats who helped broker the deal preserve their optimism, envisioning the emergence of a court system in 2001 and trials within the next three years. And if the world maintains pressure on Cambodia, those doubtful of the tribunal could soon see a long-awaited day of judgment.
