New York, 20 January 2012

On 19 January 2012, the Royal Government of Cambodia formally notified the Secretary-General of the decision of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy of Cambodia not to appoint the current reserve international Co-Investigating Judge, Judge Laurent Kasper-Ansermet, to the position of international Co-Investigating Judge of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).  

This is a matter of serious concern.  The decision is a breach of article 5, paragraph 6, of the Agreement between the United Nations and the Royal Government of Cambodia Concerning the Prosecution under Cambodian Law of Crimes Committed During the Period of Democratic Kampuchea, done at Phnom Penh on 6 June 2003, which states unequivocally that “[i]n case there is a vacancy or a need to fill the post of the international co-investigating judge, the person appointed to fill this post must be the reserve international co-investigating judge”.

The Royal Government of Cambodia raised ethical concerns in relation to Judge Kasper-Ansermet in November 2011.  The United Nations thoroughly reviewed the concerns, determined that they were unfounded, and requested that the Supreme Council of the Magistracy proceed with his appointment.  The United Nations continues to support Judge Kasper-Ansermet and Cambodia should take immediate steps to appoint him as International Co-Investigating Judge.

The Special Expert on the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials, Mr. David Scheffer, is travelling to Phnom Penh today for discussions with the Government and senior officials of the ECCC.

Joint Press Release by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO)

Phnom Penh, 13 January 2012

The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to advise members of the public that a 2-year-and-7-month-old boy from La Peak Village, Chhnur Mean Chey Commune, Proneth Preah Operational District, Banteay Mean Chey Province has been diagnosed with H5N1 influenza. The patient is currently in critical condition in Angkor Hospital for Children. He became sick on 3rd January, 2012 suffering with fever, cough, runny nose, and vomiting. He was initially treated by local private practitioners.  His condition worsened and he was admitted to Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap on 9th January.  Clinicians at the hospital suspected avian influenza and sent clinical samples to the laboratory of National Institute for Public Health (NIPH) on 10th. The result was confirmed by the Institute Pasteur du Cambodge on 12th January2012.  The patient was started on Tamiflu.  There is evidence of recent deaths among poultry in the village and the patient had contact with sick or dead poultry prior to becoming sick.

New York, 20 December 2011

This year’s observance of International Human Solidarity Day comes at a time when our world is confronting multiple challenges and opportunities.

The old world is gradually but unmistakably changing, and the contours of a new one are just beginning to take shape.  This year, the world population reached 7 billion people.  New austerity is taking hold.  New anxieties are giving rise to tensions and fears.