The Council of Ministers approved Cambodia’s membership into the International Criminal Court, planned the destruction of stockpiled land mines and proposed legislation in defense of children’s rights at its weekly meeting Friday.
Spokesman Khieu Thavika said the council had formally ratified Cambodia’s move to join the International Court so that membership could be finalized in time for “the trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes committed during the regime of Democratic Kampuchea.”
Khieu Thavika also said that at the initiative of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Council had decided to destroy more than 3,000 anti-personnel land mines currently in storage at the Ministry of Interior.
The premier had asked Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng to cooperate with Cambodia Mines Action Center to find a location to destroy the land mines, Khieu Thavika said.
Khem Sophoan, general director of CMAC, said the agency plans to explode the mines in the Kdan Reoy area, on the border between Kandal and Pursat provinces.
The Council also approved two proposals from the International Convention of Children’s Rights relating to the trafficking of children, child prostitution and children in armed conflict, according to a statement.
The proposals demand that no children younger than 18 are forced to serve in RCAF. Membership of children under 18 in the military must be voluntary, with parental approval and documentation of age. Underage soldiers serving in RCAF are to be re-integrated into civilian society.
The statement said the Council is also working to reduce child trafficking, child prostitution and child pornography.
Correction: Friday’s story “Monitors Go to School,” (page 12) should have stated that a five-day course on the commune elections sponsored by the Committee for Free and Fair Elections begins today.
