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AbstractThe Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) was established in 2004 through an agreement between the United Nations (UN) and the Cambodian government, as a means to address the crimes committed during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. The ECCC is one in a row of international judicial institutions set up in response to gross violations of human rights, known as 'hybrid' courts, encompassing both national and international elements in their structure, composition and jurisdiction. Hybrid courts, allowing for a higher degree of participation by national actors, are expected to be better placed to give long-lasting effects in the societies in which mass atrocities have taken place. This article examines that claim with regard to the ECCC, and explores the value added by participation by various national actors in the judicial proceedings. After giving an overview of international standards of judicial independence, it provides an analysis of concerns that may be raised with regard to the judicial independence of the ECCC. This article argues that some aspects of national ownership may be promoted at the cost of lowering international standards of justice, and may cause an overall lack of ownership or accountability of the proceedings.

Die Arbeit stellt eine Diskussion des gesellschaftlichen Normenwandels im Kontext von internationaler Zusammenarbeit auf dem Gebiet der Transitional Justice dar. Anhand der Verurteilung von Zwangsheiraten vor dem Rote Khmer Tribunal in Kambodscha, wird die Übertragung internationaler Normen im Bereich der Gender-Gerechtigkeit auf nationaler Ebene untersucht. Es wird insbesondere nach der Art der Norm-Übertragung, dem Auslöser dafür und der Rolle des Khmer Rouge Tribunals dabei erforscht. Die Forschungsergebnisse zeigen, dass die Verurteilung von Zwangsheirat eine Lokalisierung der internationalen Gender Justice Normen darstellt. Dabei sind rechtliche Besonderheiten in der Funktionsweise des Gerichtshofs und "rechtlicher Aktivismus" von besonderer Bedeutung. Demnach sind Nachkriegsgerichte (als Normwandelkatalysatoren) maßgeblich an der Konstruktion von Vergangenheit beteiligt und stellen mächtige Akteure in der internationalen Zusammenarbeit bzw. der internationalen Politik dar.

The 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan provides quite ambitiously and laudably for the creation of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan under the auspices of the African Union. The article is an extract from the author's 2016 LL.M. dissertation submitted to the University of Pretoria. It critically examines the salient features of the proposed court with the aim of testing the court's ability to effectively address historical grievances and injustices in South Sudan. In so doing, the article draws lessons from similar mechanisms in Africa and beyond. It also interrogates the role of the African Union and South Sudan in operationalising this court. It reveals strengths as well as weaknesses in the proposed design of the court as well as in the ability of the African Union and South Sudan to fulfil their obligations. Despite these weaknesses, the article argues that by harnessing the strengths identified and learning from lessons from across the continent, the African Union (AU) and South Sudan can overcome the anticipated challenges and operationalise a hybrid court which will effectively deliver sustainable justice to the victims of international crimes committed during the South Sudan civil war.

Includes bibliographical references and index. ; Forging a hybrid court : a mountain never has two tigers -- Pairing the court's national and international features -- Serving two masters : dual administration, oversight, and funding -- Case 001, convicting an infamous Khmer Rouge torture chief : you cannot cover an elephant with a rice basket -- Case 002, the centerpiece case against senior leaders : cutting the head to fit the hat? -- Cases 003, 004, the politics of personal jurisdiction : no gain in keeping, no loss in weeding out -- A historic first : recognizing victims as case parties -- Connecting to Cambodians : outreach and legacy. ; Mode of access: Internet. ; U. Michigan Faculty Author