01005793 Case File No. 002/19-09-2007/ECCC/TC E313 within the CPK hierarchy. Second, decisions would be made centrally, by the upper echelons of the Party, to whom the lower echelons would report and from whom they would receive instructions.708 This was reflected in the pyramidal leadership structure of the Party, with power concentrated in a small Standing Committee to which all other tiers were functionally subordinate. 224. The NUON Chea Defence argues that it was ultimately POL Pot, not the entire Standing Committee, who was responsible for the decisions ostensibly emanating from the Standing Committee.709 This is at odds, however, with NUON Chea’s own evidence, in which he stated clearly that the principle of collective decision-making was implemented “at every stage, at all […] times” in the CPK, and specifically at the meetings of the Central and Standing Committees which he attended.710 As NUON Chea explained to the Chamber: “[C]ollectivity” means everybody would participate in a meeting to express the ideas. Every meeting adhered to this principle, and not only at the Central Committee – Central or Standing Committees’ level. And then the Secretary of the Party would consolidate all those ideas and opinions, and if members of the Party are not satisfied, then all together would be able to express their objections or opposal (sic) until they reach a unanimous agreement, then it would become official. Otherwise, if there is no complete agreement, discussion needs to continue. Similarly, when asked in a 2006 interview whether POL Pot had a monopoly on power during the DK era, NUON Chea rejected this proposition and stated that decisions were made collectively.711 225. KHIEU Samphan also indicated that key decisions were made collectively. In respect of the Standing Committee’s decision to evacuate Phnom Penh, he said that “if there had been a single voice against the evacuations, there could have been no evacuations”.712 However, IENG Sary claimed that his own individual dissent was not 708 709 710 711 712 CPK Statute, E3/130, undated, p. 16, Article 6, ERN (En) 00184037. NUON Chea Defence Closing Statement, para. 189. T. 15 December 2011 (NUON Chea), pp. 33-36. NUON Chea Interview by Japanese journalist, E3/26, undated, p. 8, ERN (En) 00329511. KHIEU Samphan Interview Transcript, E3/4051, undated, p. 1, ERN (En) 00788872. Case 002/01, Judgement, 7 August 2014 - Public 126