The Continued Debate Over Documentary Evidence in Case 002: Final Day of Testimony from Youk Chhang
On Monday, February 6, 2012, the Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) resumed hearing testimony from Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) regarding the Center’s documentation procedures and processes.1 The day’s testimony was the final segment of Mr. Chhang’s testimony on DC-Cam’s document collection practices and processes.
Mr. Chhang had previously testified for two full days regarding DC-Cam’s policies. Throughout his examination, he appeared to entertain the audience, appearing each day dressed impeccably in a different suit. Perhaps to make a point, Mr. Chhang entered the courtroom on the final day of his testimony clad in a tailored suit with a red Cambodian scarf (kramaa) tied around his neck. Such red scarves were standard attire for the Khmer Rouge, along with all-black clothing.
Prior to the commencement of questioning for the day, the defense team for Ieng Sary informed the Chamber that in light of the Chamber’s previous decision to afford a “rebuttable presumption” in favor of admissibility to evidence referenced in the Closing Order by the Co- Investigating Judges (CIJs), it would not put any questions to Mr. Chhang. The Nuon Chea defense team then requested that some or all of the time allotted to the Ieng Sary defense team be added to its allotted questioning time. In response, the Chamber stated that would consider the matter for a period before deciding and directed Nuon Chea international defense counsel Jasper Pauw to begin questioning…
Read more: CTM_Blog_2-6-12