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Public
Information Room
2004-present
To meet the need for
documentation materials at the tribunal and dramatically increase
access to our archival holdings, DC-Cam opened its new Public
Information Room (PIR) in late April 2004. Access is given to legal
personnel (representing both the defense and prosecution), scholars,
reporters, and the general public.
The PIR,
which is equipped with new computers, chairs and desks, is stocked
with Internet services, audio-visual equipment, and a wide variety of
primary and secondary documents. It is home to DC-Cam’s Victims of
Torture Project; hosted our
legal
training
course, several NGO forums, and visiting
student groups in 2004; and will house our Tribunal Response Team. The
PIR also functions as a library and educational forum. In its first
eight months, the PIR received nearly 1,000 visitors, hosted several
guest lectures and in-house training, and screened 4 films on the
regime. (Click here for a list of
PIR
regulations
and a research application.)
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DC-Cam’s Tribunal Response Team
We began planning for
this team in late 2003. In 2004, we added more detail to the plan,
which we hope to implement in 2005 (depending on funding for the
tribunal). The team would comprise Cambodian and non-Cambodian
lawyers and political scientists/historians, two of whom would
work full time and would be assisted by shorter- term personnel on
an as-needed basis; they would be supervised by DC-Cam staff
member Dara P. Vanthan, who is familiar with our Center’s
documentary holdings. This independent and neutral team will be in
a position to help tribunal and authorized officials (as well as
the public) carry out research and documentary reviews as needed.
Also, Center staff will translate additional documents into
English in advance of the tribunal.
In addition, we are seeking support to bring one or more experts
from within Cambodia or overseas (e.g., historians, document
preservationists) to Phnom Penh to work closely with our team
before and during the tribunal.
(See details) |
In 2004, we met with
nearly 400
Cham Muslim leaders
(hakem) from all parts of the country, 32
Buddhist nuns, and members of
22 youth and
student associations
and 200 students (Volunteer)
in order to engage them in the tribunal process. These groups
represent a variety of religious beliefs and ages. We began planning
tribunal-related activities with them, including a peace march
organized by the nuns and information dissemination by the students.
To promote memory, DC-Cam
and the
Khmer Writers’ Association
(KWA) hosted an essay competition in 2003. We asked people throughout
Cambodia
to submit narrative essays on their thoughts on issues related to the
Khmer Rouge or their lives during the regime. Of the 43 essays
submitted, 4 winners were selected; they were given cash awards and
their essays published in the Khmer edition of
Searching for the Truth.
We announced a second competition in the local media during 2004;
the winners will be announced in February 2005.
The PIR is located at
66 Sihanouk Boulevard in
Phnom Penh, and is open Monday through Friday
from
8:00 a.m. to
5 p.m.
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