 |
| Former Khmer Rouge soldier Houn Kin, 64, who joined the revolution in 1970, speaks to the Post yesterday outside the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. (Photo by: Heng Chivoan) |
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post
On the outskirts of Phnom Penh yesterday, as a one-time leader of the Khmer Rouge continued to distance himself from the mass bloodshed of the regime’s 1975-79 rule, a former lowly cadre was taking full responsibility for the life he took.
Former Khmer Rouge soldier Houn Kin, 64, who joined the revolution in 1970, said that he accepts his guilt in the slaying of a fellow Cambodian he knew only as Thoun, who was brought to him for execution after being implicated as an intelligence agent of then-Prime Minister Lon Nol in Kampong Thom province.
“I was ordered to take Thoun, who was implicated as a Lon Nol spy. I don’t know why I was ordered to kill him. I just obeyed the order, otherwise I cannot save myself,” said Houn Kin, who for the first time attended an evidence hearing against one of the three Khmer Rouge defendants.
Nearly 40 years later, Houn Kin spends most of his days living in a Buddhist pagoda in his native Kampong Thom’s Kampong Svay district, an immersion in his Buddhist faith that he freely admits is an attempt at atonement.
“Now, even the chickens or other animals I dare not to slaughter. I pray to the Buddha and joined the pagoda to clean up my guilt,” he said.
Houn Kin was one of three militiamen stationed by the Khmer Rouge at Darei Slap commune in Kampong Thom province; his direct superior was Bun Sam-ban, chief of the cooperative.
Dressed in a layman’s uniform from his pagoda, Houn Kin spoke softly yesterday as he recalled the people he witnessed escorted to the village only to disappear a few days after.
“I saw many people who were brought to be killed, and I did not know where they came from,” he said. “I’m feeling regret for the history – Cambodians killing each other. They should not have taken them to kill. They should have educated them to make them good, not killed them. I know the order [to smash] the people is not good, but if I don’t do it, then I will have the same fate like them.”
Like several hundred participants attending from various provinces to see the evidence hearings of defendants Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan and Ieng Sary, Kin said he was disappointed that his former bosses have failed to take responsibility for the crimes committed under their command.
Speaking at Monday’s hearing, “Brother Number 2” Nuon Chea defiantly said the accusations against him are “not correct and not right”, defending the actions of the Khmer Rouge as a necessary response to outside threats.
The performance stood in stark contrast to Houn Kin’s humble contrition.
“I devote everything for the Buddha now. I don’t want to do anything, just try to live calmly,” he said.
5 comments:
khmer people are still baffled by all the killings going on. for what reason? why? and it's like a domino effect experienced by all khmer, both the culprits or the killers and the victims as well, i.e., they all claimed that if they didn't carry out the execution or didn't take order, etc, they too will be executed. so, it was like the KR leadership like noun chea, pol pot, ieng sary, khiev samphan, ieng thirith, etc instilled fear in people. they always used the word "smashed" in khmer means to destroy. and they also tell people that to keep is no use and to destroy is no loss, meaning if you are not trusted by their so-called 'angkar leu", you will disappear, meaning you are taken away to be killed. so, as a result of this threat, people always lived in fear and no trust anyone. the KR leaders were so cruel. i hope the court will see to it that the KR leadership will face the law for what they did to cambodia and khmer people. simply put, what their regime did was so uncalled for. there were so many people killed and died or perished under the fanatic, primitive KR regime. these surviving KR leaders must be held responsible and accountable so cambodia can learn from this and heal and move on with peace of mind, knowing that law serves cambodia and khmer people well. khmer people have to heal and regain trust back in gov't and leadership, etc...; however, we cannot do so without justice and the rule of law forever in cambodia. yes, cambodia and khmer people need and want the rule of law born out of this tribunal. nothing can bring the victims back; however, all desired to see justice served them and the country. thank you and god bless cambodia and all khmer people.
One killed and the only one?????. Is it half naked truth,Pal!!!!
And one is more than enough...
He was enjoying killing unarmed innocent people while in full power. Now this guy is playing finger pointing and tell the world that he was innocent and did it to only save himself.
How bull-shit this guy is. To bring justice to all 2 million dead Khmer people, this guy should bring himself to court and admit that he did it on purpose.
i know, it's easier for the KR to blame others than to take responsibility themselves. that's why we spelled out responsibilities for the leaders on paper, because they raised their right hand and swore to protect, to serve, etc! the court is not there to foregive, ok, they are there to enforce the law and serve justice, period! be educated for a change, ok!
Whos killing millions of khmers life??
The answer is......Vietcooks/Viets
Post a Comment