A UN oversight committee is reviewing allegations of corruption
from Cambodian staff at the Khmer Rouge tribunal, a UN spokesman said Tuesday.
The review comes following allegations brought forward in June.
"They came forward themselves, and we applaud them for
their bravery and for their willingness," the spokesman, Peter Foster, said. "It is not
only important for the United Nations, it's important for the government of Cambodia and
for the entire court. At UNDP and the donors, all of them have said that
corruption and irregularities will not be tolerated."
The tribunal monitoring group Open Society Justice
Initiative in 2007 raised allegations of kickbacks, claiming some Cambodian
officials allegedly paid money to join the hybrid tribunal.
"The file is now in New York and is being reviewed," Foster said. "What is being reviewed is to make sure
this allegation has merit or does not have merit. And then action will be taken
based on the review."
More than one allegation of irregularities and corruption
has been filed, he said, declining to comment further.