A woman films Van Nath, a Cambodian survivor of the Khmer Rouge prison as he testifies during the trial (Credit: Reuters)2009-06-29
Radio France Internationale (RFI)
One of the only survivors of the Khmer Rouge’s main prison in Cambodia testified at a war crimes trial on Monday. Van Nath was giving evidence against the man accused of overseeing the deaths of an estimated 15,000 people in Tuol Sleng jail.
Van Nath, who is now a top artist in Cambodia, said he only survived his time in Tuol Sleng jail because he was asked to paint a portrait of the communist movement’s leader Pol Pot.
The 63-year-old was testifying at the trial of Duch – real name Kaing Guek Eav - who helped govern the jail and is accused of playing a central role in the torture and execution of thousands of Cambodians.
Van Nath described how he was arrested and shackled with other prisoners in 1977 by a local official. “I asked him, what did I do wrong. He did not know,” Van Nath said.
He said prisoners shackled next to him died during his first month in prison and that when he was summoned downstairs, he thought that his turn had come. But a prison officer told him that he was needed to paint a picture of Pol Pot.
“I knew that if I did not paint very well, I would be in big trouble. I was so nervous,” he said.
Van Nath said that prisoners were given so little food to eat that he had thought about eating human flesh.
“We only had three spoons of gruel for each meal. And the spoon was like a coffee spoon, it was not a normal rice spoon. I lost my dignity… even with animals they would give enough food,” he told the court.
“I couldn’t think of anything other than being thirsty and hungry… I thought even eating human flesh would be a good thing for me at that moment,” he added.
Earlier in his trial, Duch accepted responsibility for his role in governing the jail and begged for forgiveness from the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. However, he rejected prosecution claims about the extent of his involvement in the 1975-1979 dictatorship and said he had never executed anyone.
If found guilty, Duch could face a life sentence for war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and premeditated murder.
Van Nath, who is now a top artist in Cambodia, said he only survived his time in Tuol Sleng jail because he was asked to paint a portrait of the communist movement’s leader Pol Pot.
The 63-year-old was testifying at the trial of Duch – real name Kaing Guek Eav - who helped govern the jail and is accused of playing a central role in the torture and execution of thousands of Cambodians.
Van Nath described how he was arrested and shackled with other prisoners in 1977 by a local official. “I asked him, what did I do wrong. He did not know,” Van Nath said.
He said prisoners shackled next to him died during his first month in prison and that when he was summoned downstairs, he thought that his turn had come. But a prison officer told him that he was needed to paint a picture of Pol Pot.
“I knew that if I did not paint very well, I would be in big trouble. I was so nervous,” he said.
Van Nath said that prisoners were given so little food to eat that he had thought about eating human flesh.
“We only had three spoons of gruel for each meal. And the spoon was like a coffee spoon, it was not a normal rice spoon. I lost my dignity… even with animals they would give enough food,” he told the court.
“I couldn’t think of anything other than being thirsty and hungry… I thought even eating human flesh would be a good thing for me at that moment,” he added.
Earlier in his trial, Duch accepted responsibility for his role in governing the jail and begged for forgiveness from the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. However, he rejected prosecution claims about the extent of his involvement in the 1975-1979 dictatorship and said he had never executed anyone.
If found guilty, Duch could face a life sentence for war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and premeditated murder.
4 comments:
Lucky Van Nath, while all Cambodian were dying, sick and starving, he was phographer!
He must have real golden bones in his body.
Communism has no,Pchhum Ben,New Year,Ork Ambok,Hê kathen.........
It must be reminded that Robert Petit had asked the ECCC to put six more people on trial such as NORODOM SIHANOUK, HENG SAMRIN, CHEA SIM, HUN SEN, HO NAM HONG and KEAT CHHON.
We all shouldn't get too distracted by Hun Sen's Khmer Rouge Show Trial. We should focus on the Viets who are stealing our land. They are getting closer to completing the boarder markings.
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