PHNOM PENH - Angry Cambodian staff members at the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal have demanded a Jan. 31 deadline for an explanation from the court administration over why they have not been paid.
The staff have threatened to boycott their jobs until they are paid, putting a kink in the trial of three former Khmer Rouge leaders at the financially troubled court.
“They said that the administration office must respond to them from today through Jan. 31,” tribunal spokesman Neak Pheaktra said. “If not, they will take action themselves.”
The Cambodian side of the court has been in financial trouble on a number of occasions since the court’s inception in 2006. This year, it needs about $9.3 million to continue its operations, as it seeks to conclude only its second case—trying top leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan and Ieng Sary for atrocity crimes.
The staff have threatened to boycott their jobs until they are paid, putting a kink in the trial of three former Khmer Rouge leaders at the financially troubled court.
“They said that the administration office must respond to them from today through Jan. 31,” tribunal spokesman Neak Pheaktra said. “If not, they will take action themselves.”
The Cambodian side of the court has been in financial trouble on a number of occasions since the court’s inception in 2006. This year, it needs about $9.3 million to continue its operations, as it seeks to conclude only its second case—trying top leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan and Ieng Sary for atrocity crimes.