30 March 1997: The victims remember

Chet Chin (R) and Ly Neary (L) in front of the portrait of their son who was killed during the grenade attack on March 30, 1997 (Photo: Pring Samrang, Cambodge Soir)

Friday, March 30, 2007
By Samuel Bartholin and Kong Sothanarith
Cambodge Soir
Unofficial Translation from French by Tola Ek

Click here to read Cambodge Soir’s original article in French

At Chet Chin and Ly Neary’s home, several portraits still bring back memories of a beloved son, Chet Duong Daravuth, a doctor turned journalist who stood alongside Sam Rainsy before being torn apart by a grenade explosion on March 30, 1997. “That Sunday, we left to my village, along with my wife. I didn’t know there was a large demonstration that was being held. In the morning, my second son came to join us, he told me that grenades was thrown on the [demonstration] procession. I was dismayed,” Chet Duong Daravuth’s explains. “We went to the incident location. Armed soldiers prevented access to those injured, among whom was my son. He thus agonized for half an hour,” Ly Neary sobbed. “We never received any explanations from the government as to what happened during that day,” the grieving couple concluded. “We hope that those involved will be brought up face justice, national or international.” Since the death of their son, the parents took up where their son left off to work for the SRP, Ly Neary is now a SRP commune councilor.

Vong Sopheak collaborates as a reporter with several publications. At that time, he was covering for Moneakseka Khmer, an opposition newspaper, the 30 March demonstration. A survivor, he shows the scar which runs over 30 centimeters (one foot) across his belly which was literally opened from the grenade explosion. “The scars are healed physically but never in my mind.” “I was interviewing workers when the first grenade was thrown over,” he recalled. “I dragged myself on the ground towards the National Assembly where the anti-riot police blocked the access. I tried to go to the other side where Khem Sovannara, a photograph, helped me. I later followed the case but without much faith in the government’s investigation. Justice? Maybe in a very long time, there must be political reasons which prevent it from happening. In the absence of any [investigation] result, the Minister of Interior should have resigned. I also regret that Sam Rainsy changed his position in 2006.

“Yong Soknov and Yong Srei told me: ‘it’s a large demonstration, we must go.’ I told them to be careful. They told me again: ‘We must go, it is for justice and factory workers’ salary.’” Ten years ago, Pov Heng lost her daughter and her niece, both in their twenties and factory workers like her. The pair was mortally wounded on the legs and chest. “Besides Sam Rainsy, I find that the government remains quiet on this issue. I regret that no one cares about the death of my children, and also all of those who still continue to die now: activists, union workers. I think the NGOs and the UN should apply more pressure on the government.”