The second major trial of top Khmer Rouge leaders began Monday, but questions remained about whether the prosecutions would expand to other members of the regime even as Cambodia works to get beyond its past.
June 28, 2011
BY LARISA EPATKO
PBS Newshour (USA)
A trial meant to bring closure to Cambodians still suffering from the memory of the communist Khmer Rouge regime is continuing to raise questions about the extent of the prosecutions and the value of the judicial process itself.
Pre-trial hearings began Monday for four senior-most members of the Khmer Rouge regime accused of war crimes and genocide during Pol Pot's rule from 1975-1979, when an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians were killed.
All four defendants are expected to enter not guilty pleas. They are Nuon Chea, 84, Khieu Samphan, 79, former foreign minister Ieng Sary, 85, and his wife Ieng Thirith, 79. Pol Pot died under house arrest in 1998 at age 72.
We spoke with GlobalPost reporter Sebastian Strangio in Phnom Penh about how the trial is being perceived within the country.
Cambodians, especially those in major cities, will likely watch it as they did the televised court proceedings of former jailer Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, said Strangio. Duch was convicted last July and sentenced to 35 years, which was later reduced to 19 years for time served.
Khmer Rouge families are interested, but for a different reason. Strangio said he spoke to some Khmer Rouge families who live near the Thai border, and they expressed concern that other local notables in the area -- for example, ex-Khmer Rouge leaders who are now district governors -- might be put on trial if the prosecutions expand to more people.
The question about whether there would be additional trials never reached a satisfactory conclusion, even though there was much discussion about it during the formation of the tribunal, said Strangio. Prime Minister Hun Sen has repeatedly said two trials are enough. And the investigators seem to agree, raising criticism in the country that they are yielding to the government.
Other people, in more rural areas, tend to not be as riveted to the trials because of the demands in their daily lives, Strangio said. "They're working in remote areas, they're farming and constantly concerned about whether the rains will come. There are things much more immediate to them."
Also, about 70 percent of Cambodia's population of 14.7 million, according to the CIA Factbook, is under age 30, so the number of people who lived through the Khmer Rouge is declining, along with their interest.
The court and the documentation center of Cambodia, therefore, have been working to educate people about the court proceedings.
"They realize the court isn't going to have any meaning unless local people understand what the process is and how it operates," said Strangio. "The court claims it wants to close a chapter of a very dark period of history."
Some Cambodians want to put that past behind them. "They don't want to be reminded of the horrible things they went through or their families went through," said Strangio.
"The court is grappling with a lot of these sorts of cultural and personal issues," along with pushback in the country about whether judicial proceedings can even bring justice, he said.
"I think a lot of people are idealistic and wide-eyed about it, but it's certainly not something that just automatically happens. It's a process which is going to hopefully have long-term benefit to the country but it can be a pretty complicated issue, and the views on it here are incredibly varied."
3 comments:
Mr Sam Rainsy, Why don't you sue PM Hun Sen as you promise to us Cambodian people and your true supporters?
Are you tried to bargain or negotiate with PM Hun Sen again like 2005 lawsuit at America??? Why?? Why??
We want to see Mr Sam Rainsy act as he said to sue PM Hun Sen in every democracy Countries court of justice around the world.
We want the results as transparency, from your progress in suing PM Hun Sen in every court of justices!!!
We are Cambodian people afraid that you are just using the lawsuit to scare PM Hun Sen than when PM Hun Sen gives you (Mr Sam Rainsy) green light. You again, hang your Lawsuit like 2005.
Mr Sam Rainsy, You must do as you said, otherwise you the same as Mr Kim Soka.
Mr Sam Rainsy, where are your law suit VS Hun SEn in America Court of justice? We want to see and hear the stories transparency because we afraid that you are just try to bargain with Hun Sen like 2005 again.
We Cambodian people as well as your supporters are waiting to see your real action in suing PM Hun Sen (In America Court of justice, all countries’ court of justice in Europe, Japan Court of justice, Australia Court of justice, New Zealand court of justice, Canada court of Justice, UN court of justice, World Human Right court of justice, NATO court of justice…) as you Mr Sam Rainsy said.
Mr Sam Rainsy must do as you said OK. Don’t you dare to bargain with PM Hun Sen like 2005 again?
May be you can’t be Prime Minister of Cambodia because of unfair election as 5-6 million Vietnamese votes for Hun Sen and Hun Sen add up his cheating skill in every election but you can be a great Khmer Hero by suing PM Hun Sen about the facts that he has done to Cambodia and Cambodian people so far.
If you Can’t be Prime Miniter due unfair election all the times but Mr Sam Rainsy, you can gives a great stain to PM Hun Sen and CPP Vietnam slave about their crimes against Cambodian people since 1970 until today.
Mr Sam Rainsy What are you waiting for, sir ? PLease do it for the khmer victims and khmer nation ?
Does this tribunal frighten the future leaders from committing crimes? I doubt it.
Besides being locked up, they live a good life with everything provided free of charge including quality healthcare to keep them in good health.
The real hell is for those who commit petty crime and are locked up in Prey Sar and many other prisons around the country.
Just ask the Prey Sar’s inmates will they commit crimes again? But next time if they get caught they would be put to live like the 4 high-ranking former Khmer Rouge officials.
And you know the answer in their heads.
We have the right to hate Nuon Chea .
But by law Nuon Chea has rihgts to have some witneses.
Why ECCC not allowed Nuon Chea 's witnesses showing up in ECCC court room.
What is the real reason behind this?
Not allowed Nuon Chea ' s witnesses showing in ECCC Court room mean this ECCC and CPP are afraid of as follow: 1. ECCC and CPP so scare of those 300 Nuon Chea 's witnesses speaking out the truth about the real killer of 1.7 million Cambodian between 1975-1979. 2. ECCC and CPP so scare of Nuon Chea speaking out in the hearing about the real killer of 1.7 million Cambodian between 1975-1979.
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