The second meeting of the Royal Government’s Task Force on March 12, 2025, discussed the ECCC’s achievements and proposed the creation of an ECCC Legacy Institution. This will manage archives, promote education on genocide prevention, and support victims. Plans for the National Day of Remembrance were also established to enhance awareness and collaboration in preventing future atrocities.
On March 12, 2025, a second meeting of the Royal Government’s Task Force on Cooperation with the United Nations and Development Partners concerning the ECCC residual functions was convened at the Council of Ministers Friendship Building. Chaired by H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, and attended by key figures such as H.E. Keo Remy and representatives from 14 ministries, the meeting underscored the significant role of the ECCC in promoting peace and reconciliation in Cambodia.
H.E. Vongsey Vissoth opened the proceedings by acknowledging Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen’s pivotal role in founding the ECCC as a hybrid court, enabling victims to participate in trials directly. The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated the Court’s lasting impact on national reconciliation, aligning with the objectives set out in the Paris Peace Accords while emphasizing the continuous efforts led by Prime Minister Hun Manet to sustain this peace and development legacy.
Progress reports were presented, notably by H.E. Hem Kranh Tony, highlighting the ECCC’s achievements from 2006 to 2022 and during the ongoing residual functions for 2023-2024. The Court’s efforts in preserving a legacy aimed at educating future generations about historical truths, with the intention of preventing future atrocities and genocide in Cambodia, were commended.
The meeting also resulted in an agreement on a draft concept paper regarding the future establishment of an ECCC Legacy Institution. This institution aims to manage archives, develop a museum focusing on the ECCC’s accountability processes, and promote educational outreach to prevent further atrocities and enhance transitional justice at national and international levels.
H.E. Vongsey Vissoth described the legacy institution as a national asset that will facilitate collaboration with both national and international partners to promote peace, education, and support for victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. The goal is to foster an enduring culture of peace and justice in Cambodia.
The meeting concluded with discussions regarding the National Day of Remembrance on May 20, 2025. Plans were made for a meaningful celebration to emphasize the ECCC’s significance and promote collaboration across ministries and institutions, thereby reinforcing efforts to prevent genocide and ensure sustainable development in the region. H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth encouraged proactive participation from all relevant ministries and institutions in this endeavor.
The second meeting of the Royal Government’s Task Force on Cooperation with the UN regarding the ECCC highlighted the importance of the court’s legacy in promoting peace and national reconciliation. Plans for an ECCC Legacy Institution were proposed to further educate and prevent future atrocities, ensuring the memory of Cambodia’s past informs its future. The upcoming National Day of Remembrance aims to broaden awareness and collaboration to uphold the principles of peace and justice.
Original Source: www.phnompenhpost.com
