By Moeun Chhean Nariddh,
Phnom Penh
Opinion posted at the International Herald Tribune (France)
As Cambodians, we are delighted by the news of the arrest of the second-most senior Khmer Rouge leader, Nuon Chea ("Pol Pot's 'Brother No. 2' to face war crimes," Sept. 20). The arrest is another step toward justice for almost 2 million Cambodians who were killed or starved to death by the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979.
However, many Cambodians believe that the aged and ailing Khmer Rouge leader will not live long enough to serve his prison sentence at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia if he is convicted. Given the gravity of the crimes committed by the regime under his command, many people think that Nuon Chea does not deserve the luxury of the ECCC prison while chicken thieves and other minor criminals have to spend many years in harsh conditions in Cambodian prisons.
In a sense, he is lucky to be tried at a court with an international standard of justice, compared to the Khmer Rouge victims who were tortured and starved before they were summarily executed for stealing potatoes or rice to eat.
Another chapter of history will be opened if the other remaining suspects are also arrested soon, particularly "Brother Number Three," Ieng Sary, and his wife, the Khmer Rouge's social affairs and education minister, Ieng Thirith, who were pardoned by the government when they defected in 1996.
However, many Cambodians believe that the aged and ailing Khmer Rouge leader will not live long enough to serve his prison sentence at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia if he is convicted. Given the gravity of the crimes committed by the regime under his command, many people think that Nuon Chea does not deserve the luxury of the ECCC prison while chicken thieves and other minor criminals have to spend many years in harsh conditions in Cambodian prisons.
In a sense, he is lucky to be tried at a court with an international standard of justice, compared to the Khmer Rouge victims who were tortured and starved before they were summarily executed for stealing potatoes or rice to eat.
Another chapter of history will be opened if the other remaining suspects are also arrested soon, particularly "Brother Number Three," Ieng Sary, and his wife, the Khmer Rouge's social affairs and education minister, Ieng Thirith, who were pardoned by the government when they defected in 1996.
4 comments:
Hor Nam Hong, Hok Lundy,...were all KHMER ROUGH, but Viet Cong Agents. Why don't we see those KHMER ROUGH of Viet Cong Side get ARRESTED?
Yes When DID the VIET CONG TROOPS that HELPED KHMER ROUGH TO FIGHT US & LON NOL LEAVE CAMBODIA?
Ask NOUN CHEA When did Viet Cong Leave Cambodia after they helped them to fight the US & Lon Nol?
Right after they defeated the US & Lon Nol, they promptly emptied the City to exterminate Khmer Race.
Viet Cong/Minh cannot possibly left Cambodia right after they spent times to create Khmer Rouge and to be by the KR side to fight the US & Lon Nol. Many Viet Cong/Minh troops never LEFt Cambodia.
Khmer Rouge were not alone to fight the US & Lon Nol. Khmer Rouge were backed by Viet Cong troops. After they chased the US and Lon Nol out where did the Viet Cong troops go?
Hun Sen cannot possibly make the coup d'Etat in 1997 without the Viet Cong troops supported him, and so was the Khmer Rouge in 1975.
Khmer victims who lived through Khmer Rouge regime never heard the name Pol Pot but Viet Cong KNEW all along before we Khmers.
If the Viet Cong troops never completely withdrwe from Cambodia and some of them now holds a highest position without going through election is Hok Lundy what made us not to believe that Viet Cong did not create the genocide?
Hok Lundy real name was Nguyen Van Son, he claimed to stay in power for 15 more years. Does it not tell us something taht Viet Cong troops are still inside Cambodia?
He was one of the Khmer Rouge and he is still here.
where in the world people can find even justice?(only better for few countries in the world--- many bad and worse in the world)
Justice is granted to people in inconsitent manners.
Even God(s) can not grant justice evenly. Look in every bible. Thou follow me thou shalt be saved. Dictators said you follow me you will be kept alive.
1220AM, good job in exposing ex VC hold high position in Cambodia...How many other VC hold high rank in Cambodia? What were VC names? Keep it coming Bro.
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