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Customary law courts have been involved in adjudicating disputes, particularly at community
level. In 2008, HRRLS UNIPSIL collaborated with UNDP in organizing training programmes on
human rights in the administration of justice, and international human rights instruments for
customary law court officers.
23. Pursuant to the 2008 annex to the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation, the
Government of Uganda announced the establishment of a war crimes court, as a special division
of the Uganda High Court, in May 2008. The Government has assigned three Ugandan judges to
the Court and expects to select two additional international judges. OHCHR Uganda plans to
monitor the trials once cases begin appearing before the Court.
(b)
Asia and the Pacific
24. In 2003, the United Nations and the Government of Cambodia agreed to create
Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia to try those who were most responsible for
the crimes committed during the period of Khmer Rouge rule from 1975 to 1979. OHCHR is
following the proceedings in the Extraordinary Chambers in order to identify best practices and
encourage their incorporation into the national justice system. OHCHR is further monitoring
implementation of the new Code of Penal Procedure, promulgated in August 2007, in the
domestic courts.
25. Several high-profile cases of conflict-related human rights violations are currently pending
in the national court system of Nepal. OHCHR Nepal has provided technical support to
authorities investigating these cases and continues to monitor judicial developments.
OHCHR Nepal has also been documenting and publicizing evidence of other violations,
advocating for their investigation and requesting cooperation from relevant authorities. The
Supreme Court of Nepal has taken steps towards combating impunity, ordering the police to file
First Information Reports and conduct appropriate investigations into a number of
conflict-related cases of serious human rights violations. In June 2007 the Court also ordered the
Government to criminalize enforced disappearances and to undertake investigations and
prosecutions of relevant cases. OHCHR Nepal continues to provide technical assistance with a
view to strengthening the legal framework to support prosecutions, particularly through the
criminalization of serious human rights violations.
26. The Human Rights Transitional Justice Section (HRTJS) of the United Nations Integrated
Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) is assisting the Office of the Prosecutor-General (OPG) to
implement relevant recommendations of the United Nations Independent Special Commission of
Inquiry in Timor-Leste, which investigated incidents that took place in April and May 2006.
Thus far, 18 investigations have been opened by OPG. The Government, with the assistance of
HRTJS UNMIT, has recruited an international prosecutor to assist OPG with these
investigations. Two trials have been completed, three trials are currently under way, four cases
have been archived and nine cases are under active investigation.
(c)
Latin America and the Caribbean
27. In Colombia, 3,637 of over 50,500 demobilized members of illegal armed groups have
been processed under the Justice and Peace Law; 430 of the 3,637 remain actively engaged in the
judicial process and over 20 have been partially indicted. As a result of revelations made by
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