Legal Counsel visits Phnom Penh, Cambodia

From 15 to 17 July 2024, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, visited Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, to prepare the final stage in the existence of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), and its transition into an institution that would preserve the legacy of the work of the ECCC, and would ensure continued access to the archives of the ECCC. For that purpose, the Legal Counsel conducted meetings with our Cambodian partners in the ECCC administration, with our partners in the Cambodia Government, and with the “Group of Friends of the ECCC”, which brings together the principal donors with Cambodian Government representatives. The key meetings with the Government of Cambodia that the Legal Counsel held were the meetings with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, H.E. Mr. Hun Manet, and with the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of issues relating to the ECCC, H.E. Mr. Vongsey Vissoth.

In the margins of the mission, the Legal Counsel represented the United Nations at a “groundbreaking” ceremony for the envisaged legacy institution, which was chaired by the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and visited the newly established ECCC resource center.