To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the (a) UK, (b) EU and (c) UN has pledged to aid the bringing to trial of those involved in the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia; and when she expects talks on procedural issues to be resolved. (143224)

The UK is a strong supporter of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, also known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, established under an agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the UN. The purpose of the Tribunal is to bring to trial those most responsible for serious violations of Cambodian and international law and custom during the period from 17 April 1975 to 6 January 1979.

The Tribunal is a hybrid model composed of national and international elements and costs are funded through voluntary contributions. To date, the UK has contributed £1.5 million. The UK is also active in meetings of interested states in New York and Phnom Penh. Other EU states (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Sweden) are also supporting the Tribunal and we encourage others to do so. The UN Office of Legal Affairs is closely involved in the management of the court.

A Plenary Session in Phnom Penh of national and international judicial officers unanimously adopted The Internal Rules of Procedure on 12 June, further paving the way for the process of holding fair and transparent trials.