PHNOM PENH: The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), also known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a German program that works to prevent violence in regions affected by conflict and crisis and to promote peace on November 23. According to the memorandum, the GIZ Civil Peace Service (GIZ-CPS) will deploy up to two peace building advisors to support survivor outreach activities.

Tony Kranh, Acting Director of the ECCC Administration said, “It is a great privilege to sign this MoU with GIZ-CPS. The Victims Support Section (VSS) is the central contact point between the ECCC, Victims, and their representatives. Throughout the cooperation, the deployment of peace building advisors will support the ECCC/VSS to produce a comprehensive framework and detailed workplan facilitating support to victims and survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime during a residual phase.”

According to an agreement with the UN, the ECCC is now responsible for disseminating information to the public and ensuring its archives are as broadly accessible as possible. In September, a resource center was inaugurated containing libraries, research facilities, archives, workshop rooms, a moot court and exhibition spaces, along with a remembrance park.

Last month, the ECCC signed an MoU with the Cambodian Broadcasting Corporation to produce digital education content, short videos and documentaries to provide comprehensive education and outreach to the next generation of students and youth.

Program Coordinator of GIZ-CSP Cambodia, Martin Hennings, said, “The GIZ-Civil Peace Service Cambodia Program is excited and proud to continue its long lasting and fruitful relationship with the ECCC. Together, we will be able to strengthen the legacy of the tribunal and ensure that its learnings and impact will be imbedded in the Cambodian society for generations to come. The focus on survivors and the younger generations forms the basis that the experiences from the past are addressed in an inclusive and holistic manner.”