Message from international lawyer Richard Rogers re update of ICC case

Next week, on Wednesday 22 July, I will file a Supplementary Communication to the ICC Prosecutor with the full support of FIDH.  This is the action for which we raised money in the US.  So its largely thanks to your efforts that it is possible. 

The ICC is currently reviewing the case, but has not yet made a decision as to whether to move forward with an investigation (as you will appreciate, opening an examination into a new situation is a very big deal). We are hoping for a decision in the coming weeks or months. 

The Supplementary Communication presents new evidence to support the allegation that widespread and systematic land grabbing conducted by the Cambodian ruling elite for over a decade amounts to a crime against humanity. The original Communication demonstrated that senior members of the Cambodian government, its security forces, and government-connected business leaders carried out an attack on the civilian population with the twin objectives of self-enrichment and preservation of power at all costs. 

The new evidence shows that the land grabbing frenzy increased in 2014 and in the first quarter of 2015, adversely affecting over 60,000 additional people. It is now estimated that an astounding 830,000 people have been affected by land grabbing since 2000. A huge number of victims have been forcibly evicted from their homes or faced other forms of persecution. Many continue to suffer appalling conditions in resettlement camps where food insecurity and disease are rife.

Last year, 40 civil-society organisations from around the world that focus on land issues urged the ICC to take up the case stating “We have a duty to protect the victims of land grabs and associated forced evictions who have no chance of obtaining justice in their own countries.” 

As you know, Cambodians themselves have also expressed a strong collective desire to see the ICC Prosecutor investigate the allegations – petitions signed by 7606 Cambodians in support of the Communication will be submitted to the ICC.

The Supplementary Communication documents how the crimes stemming from the land grabbing have a disproportionate impact on women, who bear the dual responsibility for childrearing and contributing to household income. The loss of land puts women at further risk for violence, exploitation, joblessness and associated psychosocial hardships.  Women who campaigned against land grabbing have been brutally suppressed and illegally imprisonment.

FIDH and I will issue a joint press.  There is also an executive summary.

It would be good to get this news out to the Cambodians who have supported our efforts.

Please let me know what info you need.  

Cheers

Richard

-- 

Richard J Rogers

Partner, Global Diligence LLP

www.globaldiligence.com