Secretary-General Says Courts of Cambodia Verdict Demonstrates Perpetrators of Heinous Crimes Can Be Held Accountable, Even Decades Later

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:

The Secretary‑General takes note of today’s delivery by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia of the trial judgement in the case 002/02 against Mr. Nuon Chea, former Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, and Mr. Khieu Samphan, former Head of State of Democratic Kampuchea.

Today’s judgement demonstrates that perpetrators of the most heinous crimes can be held accountable, even decades after those crimes were committed.  The Secretary‑General’s thoughts are with the victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and grave breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions for which the accused have both been found guilty.

The Secretary‑General deeply appreciates the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the important work of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia to pursue justice and accountability in Cambodia.  The Secretary‑General calls on Member States to continue to provide support to it.