A 1993 photo of a sign at Cambodia's Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum purporting to be the rules for prisoners when the compound was the S-21 prison, a torture center for the Khmer Rouge when the communist group held power in 1975-79. The prison's former commander, Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, claimed on Monday April 27, 2009, at his trial by a UN-assisted genocide tribunal that the rules were fabricated by Vietnamese forces who overthrew the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, though Duch admits overseeing torture and executions. (AP Photo/Grant Peck)27 April 2009
By A.L.G.
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
On Monday 27 April, the questioning turned to the responsibility inside the detention center, meanwhile a debate took place centering of the defense lawyer’s right to communicate with his client.
Inside the ECCC chamber, Duch affirmed that he did not take part directly in the S-21 interrogations, with the exception of one case. Meanwhile, questioning on the S-21 internal organization continued.
Showing two org charts, one after the other, Duch explained that he wanted to take distance from S-21, and he claimed that Hor, his deputy, took the criminal responsibility for the death of the prisoners. “My responsibilities, my crime, were against those who were free [and who were arrested],” Duch added.
Duch also said that “he answered to Uncle Nuon [Chea]” and that the latter prevented him from “taking distance” from the detention center.
Regarding the “procedures” for the interrogators and the prisoners, a sort of internal rule which is currently posted at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum, Duch said that they “did not originate from S-21, as it was said during the reconstitution day,” therefore he brought doubt on the authenticity of these procedures.
While Alex Bates, the co-prosecutor, asked the authorization to question Duch on this issue, Nil Nonn, the presiding judge, denied his request without even consulting the other judges present.
Furthermore, Alain Werner, the Swiss lawyer for the civil parties, asked that all details requested by François Roux from his client be made in the tribunal chamber and not outside of the hearings. François Roux protested against such demand, he recalled that this could not be decided in a civil law system where the accused was not under oath.
“I talk to my client in the morning, during breaks and in the evening, and I would betray my oath if I did not do it,” François Roux said.
The tribunal chamber indicated that it would decide on this issue later.
Inside the ECCC chamber, Duch affirmed that he did not take part directly in the S-21 interrogations, with the exception of one case. Meanwhile, questioning on the S-21 internal organization continued.
Showing two org charts, one after the other, Duch explained that he wanted to take distance from S-21, and he claimed that Hor, his deputy, took the criminal responsibility for the death of the prisoners. “My responsibilities, my crime, were against those who were free [and who were arrested],” Duch added.
Duch also said that “he answered to Uncle Nuon [Chea]” and that the latter prevented him from “taking distance” from the detention center.
Regarding the “procedures” for the interrogators and the prisoners, a sort of internal rule which is currently posted at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum, Duch said that they “did not originate from S-21, as it was said during the reconstitution day,” therefore he brought doubt on the authenticity of these procedures.
While Alex Bates, the co-prosecutor, asked the authorization to question Duch on this issue, Nil Nonn, the presiding judge, denied his request without even consulting the other judges present.
Furthermore, Alain Werner, the Swiss lawyer for the civil parties, asked that all details requested by François Roux from his client be made in the tribunal chamber and not outside of the hearings. François Roux protested against such demand, he recalled that this could not be decided in a civil law system where the accused was not under oath.
“I talk to my client in the morning, during breaks and in the evening, and I would betray my oath if I did not do it,” François Roux said.
The tribunal chamber indicated that it would decide on this issue later.
4 comments:
I think mr Duch has told the truth with regard to the viet's manipulation of the genocide. According to mr Duch, the viet falsified the so called security rules so as to make it look like they were created by the khmer rouge. Mr Duch has just revealed the most important evidence of the genocide which showed that the viets were in fact behind the khmer rouge. We will see how this trial change direction, and whether the viets will also be put on trial. May god bless cambodia!
With Hubble Space Telescope ,we can see where's Champa!
C'est encore UN TRAITRE un impérialisme US un laquais des impérialisme US
2:21pm Why did you call Ah Chke Duch Tha Mr.Duch not good.
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