Sam Rainsy confident that justice will be provided to the victims of the 30 March 1997 terrorist attack

SRP MP Son Chhay pays respect to the memory of the victims of the 30 March 1997 grenade attack

30 March 2010
By S. Botum
Free Press Magazine Online
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

13 years have already passed, the family of the victims, as well as the victims themselves are still eagerly waiting to receive justice with the punishment of the culprits and those who back them. However, justice in Cambodia seems to be out of reach as long as the CPP remains in power

At about 9AM this morning, opposition leader Sam Rainsy spoke over the phone from Paris to express his confidence that justice will be found for the victims of the grenade terrorist attack which took place 13 years ago.

With his voice broadcasted live over the speakers, opposition leader Sam Rainsy addressed those who participated in the commemoration of the 30 March 1997 victims held at the park in front of the old National Assembly, saying: “Wherever I am, I never forget to join the commemoration to the victims of the 30 March 1997 grenade attack. I am confident that it will not be long before the perpetrators and the backers of this crime will be sentenced by an independent court and dealt with according to the law.”

Sam Rainsy indicated in front of the family of the victims and the other participants that: “Some crimes were perpetrated several decades ago, however, the perpetrators cannot escape. Don’t think that with time passing by, the criminals would be free, they absolutely cannot be free!”

At least 300 people joined the commemoration, including 50 monks. Kong Korm, the standing SRP President, directly accused the government leaders at the time of being behind this terrorist attack.

Kong Korm sadi: “At that time, the SRP led the demonstration with proper authorization in order to ask for a judicial reform and to oppose corruption. However, the conservative government leaders who were installed by Hanoi did not seem to want the people to have freedom. The criminals are suspected to be the group of bodyguards of the 2nd prime minister [Hun Xen] and they threw 4 grenades on the demonstrators at that time.”

Kong Korm also called on the IRI, whose chief [Ron Abney] was injured during the grenade attack, to rethink about its recent statement in which it claimed that Cambodia is moving in the right direction. Kong Korm said: “It’s not true! We should unite to push for justice for the victims and for the government to reform itself.”

13 years have already passed, the family of the victims, as well as the victims themselves are still eagerly waiting to receive justice with the punishment of the culprits and those who back them. However, justice in Cambodia seems to be out of reach as long as the CPP remains in power.