The American Society of International Law has published an interesting ASIL Insight that focuses on disputes between national and international prosecutors at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. International prosecutors want to open investigations into Khmer Rouge leaders beyond the original five already in the dock, while national prosecutors argue it would fall outside the KRT's jurisdiction (and possibly lead to civil strife). Needless to say, both must agree in order for the Khmer Rouge Tribunal to function effectively. Unfortunately, the article concludes that the entire process might become (or appear) compromised as prosecutors make decisions based on the political interests of their stakeholders rather than the law. This would diminish its credibility severely among the Cambodian people, as well as donors (the KRT's budget is already pitiful compared to other international tribunals).
You can download the entire article here.
Critics agree that much of Southeast Asia desperately needs judicial reform and rule of law. Yet, there is remarkably little comparative scholarship on law and legal institutions in the region. In this blog, I'll follow constitutional developments in Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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