This week, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia were scheduled to hear appeals from the detention orders against Ieng Thirith, the former Khmer Rouge social affairs minister and her husband Ieng Sary, the former Khmer Rouge foreign minister. On Tuesday, the Vergès defense (prior IntLawGrrls post) was in full display by Thirith, who launched into an angry tirade, telling her accusers they would be "cursed to the seventh circle of hell." Claiming her innocence, she blamed "everything" on Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge second-in-command, who will also be tried before the ECCC. And yesterday, Ieng Sary's appeal hearing was postponed due to ill health -- the 83-year-old complained of dizziness, fatigue, and intermittent coughing, after having been rushed to hospital Monday night for passing blood in his urine. While it may be beyond the capacity of the tribunal to ensure that those found guilty take responsibility for their crimes, here's hoping that those in charge at the ECCC do everything in their power to move forward quickly enough to try the remaining defendants while their health permits.
