“Justice for the deceased”: victims’ participation in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia

The participation of victims of mass crimes is being taken to new levels in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) as it brings criminal prosecution for serious crimes committed during the period of Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979). In addition to being called as witnesses to the crimes being charged, the ECCC has provided the opportunity for some 4,000 victims to play a direct role as Civil Parties. Civil Party status in a criminal trial is a feature known in various civil law systems, but has not been provided in any of the international or what are sometimes called “internationalized” criminal tribunals and so the ECCC had to develop its own procedures in its Internal Rules. Victims’ participation may be considered one of the ECCC’s main contributions to the development of international justice