The adaptation of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia to Cambodian Cultural Specifities

In 2001, the Cambodian National Assembly adopted a law creating the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), having jurisdiction to prosecute the authors of the crimes committed during the democratic Kampuchea from 1975 to 1979. After a long and difficult negotiation process between the United Nations and the Cambodian government, and the difficulty to come to an agreement, the Secretary General agreed, though his reticence, that the Chambers be implanted in Cambodia and fully integrated within the Cambodian culture. This adaptation could be a step forward and favor justice towards the victims. However, the government influence still weight heavily upon the tribunal, thus the reach of this adaptation is to be nuanced. Issues that came up during the negotiations preceding the creation of the tribunal, remain. The influence of the government on the functioning of the Chambers is very heavy, which questions the impartiality of the judicial decisions. However, what everywhere the motives, isn’t it essential that an international tribunal adapts itself to the country so as to able the victims to recognize the justice done?