The Khmer Rouge Trials

New York, Friday, 5 May 2003

57th Session of General Assembly of the United Nations Agenda Item 109 (b) Human Rights Questions, including alternative approaches, for improving the effective enjoyment of Human Rights and fundamental freedoms.

Timor-Leste joined Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, El Salvador, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and Senegal in co-sponsoring a resolution on Khmer Rouge Trials.

The Resolution A/C.3/57/L.90, recalls the GA resolution 57/228 of 18 December 2002, and welcomes the efforts of the Secretary-General and the Royal Government of Cambodia to conclude the negotiation of the draft agreement concerning the Prosecution under Cambodian Law of crimes committed during the Period of the Democratic Kampuchea.

The resolution also urges the Secretary-General and the Royal Government of Cambodia to take all the measures to allow the draft agreement to enter into force, and to implement it fully after its entry into force.

Participating in the meeting was Ambassador José Luís Guterres of Timor-Leste who took the opportunity to congratulate H.E. Mr. Ouch Borith, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations and the representatives of Japan and France for their efforts in successfully negotiating the draft resolution, which was approved by consensus.

The Chair of the session commented on the fact that the adoption of this resolution was indeed a historical moment.