002/19-09-2007-ECCC-OCIJ ЮŲŠ / No: D427
34.
The Statute further states that the CPK was to be lead by the system of “collective
leadership”82 based on the principle of “democratic centralism”.83 Applied to the Committee
system, this meant that individual members could not make decisions by themselves, but only
in concert with other members,84 with specific persons holding specific thematic
responsibilities. This is echoed in a Standing Committee Meeting dated 9 October 1975:
“When a telegram comes in, immediately when it is received the office must hand it to the
responsible section immediately, so they can examine and consider it and make proposals to
the Standing Committee”.85
35.
Both the Central Committee and the Standing Committee were comprised of “full-rights” and
“candidate” (or “reserve” members). Candidate status was a lower ranking than full-rights.86
Being a full-rights member meant having the rights “to consider and discuss and join in
decision making” with regard to all matters.87 A candidate member was allowed to participate
in meetings, without the right of decision-making.88 At the Central Committee level, not being
a full-rights member meant not having “the decision-making power to eliminate people,”89 a
power stated by Duch to be officially enjoyed only by certain members of the Central
Committee.90 “Assistants” to the Central Committee, although not members as such, enjoyed
a status similar to some form of membership, to the extent that they could participate
alongside full-rights and candidate members in political training organized at the Party Centre
level.91
36.
Other bodies characterized by the Central Committee as totally belonging to the Party were
the People’s Representative Assembly (see the section of the Closing Order regarding the
Roles and Function of Nuon Chea, said to have been elected on 20 March 1976)92, the State
Presidium (see the section of the Closing Order regarding the Roles and Functions Khieu
Samphan), and the Organization Committee of the Party Central Committee (headed by
Nuon Chea) which was empowered to monitor and inspect Party members and oversee their
integration in offices and ministries.93
B. CENTRAL COMMITTEE
37.
The Central Committee was given responsibility in the Statute of the CPK to “implement the
Party political line and Statute throughout the Party”, as well as to “instruct all the Zone and
Sector” and to “Govern and arrange cadres and Party members throughout the entire
Party”.94
Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, National Road 4, Choam Chao, Dangkao Phnom Penh
Mailing address: P.O. Box 71, Phnom Penh; Tel: +855(0)23 218914 Fax: +855(0) 23 218941.
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