Khmer Rouge

Japan has pledged US$2 million for a storehouse of Khmer Rouge tribunal documents and a legal centre for the “socially vulnerable”, according to a press release issued Friday by the Japanese embassy in Phnom Penh. The storehouse will “enable Cambodian and foreign nationals who have interests in the tribunal, such as researchers, lawyers and students”, to access public court records, the release states. It will be housed next to the Bar Association building, which the release describes as “a base for lawyers … to conduct legal activities on behalf of socially vulnerable people”. Japan, the tribunal’s biggest donor, has provided approximately $46 million through 2009, court spokeswoman Yuko Maeda said. Public affairs chief Reach Sambath said Sunday that tribunal officials “appreciate very much the latest donation from the people and the government of Japan. It’s going to be very beneficial for the future of Cambodia, the younger generation and research”, he said. “It will serve the purpose of education for the future and also judicial reform.”