Former Premier’s Daughter Speaks Against Duch

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
18 August 2009

Click here to listen to the 17 August audio program (MP3)
Click here to listen to the 18 August audio program (MP3)

Antonia Tioulong, whose father was the prime minister in 1962, told the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal on Tuesday that Duch’s crimes as a prison administrator were unpardonable.

One of seven daughters of former premier Tioulong Nhiek, Tioulong filed as a civil party complainant in the case, having lost a sister and brother-in-law in the killing machine of Tuol Sleng prison.

Prosecutors say 12,380 people were sent to their deaths at the prison.

“We must teach the new generation of Cambodians that this crime is not pardonable,” she told the court. “The criminal must recognize [his crime], and there must be justice for that.”

Tioulong works for L’Express newspaper in France and is the sister of Tioulong Saumura, the wife of Sam Rainsy and an opposition lawmaker.

“I beg the [Trial] Chamber to issue a verdict fitting the crimes committed by the accused,” Antonia Tioulong told the court.

Duch, whose real name is Kaing Kek Iev, accepted the testimony, but he said Tioulong’s sister, Rainsy, died from illness.

Tioulong’s testimony follows statements from another civil party complainant on Monday, New Zealander Robert Hamill, whose brother was one of the few foreigners killed at Tuol Sleng.

Hamill told the court he wanted Duch to experience the same punishments his prisoners were subject to, including electrocution of the genitals, forced eating of feces, suffocation in water and a guillotine.

“I want you to have this pain; I want you to suffer,” he said in court.

There are no allowances for corporeal punishment under the tribunal—the maximum punishment is a life sentence—though Duch told the court last week he would accept stoning from the Cambodian people for his crimes.

Tioulong Antonia demands justice from Duch

Duch (L) and Mrs. Tioulong Antonia (R) (Photo: Ly Meng Huor, RFI)

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
By Ly Meng Huor
Radio France International
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Mrs. Tioulong Antonia, the daughter of Samdech Chakrey Nhiek Tioulong, demanded justice from Duch, the former S-21 jail chief, during the court hearing on 18 August. Mrs. Tioulong Antonia is currently working for the French “L’Express” magazine, and she is part of the civil party because her older sister, Tioulong Raingsy and the latter’s husband, Lim Ky Mary, died at the Tuol Sleng jail in 1976.

The case of the torture imposed on the daughter and the son-in-law of Samdech Chakrey Nhiek Tioulong, prior to their killings at the Tuol Sleng (S-21) jail under the KR rouge regime, was discussed during today’s hearing for Duch. Mrs. Tioulong Raingsy was the second of the seven daughters of Samdech Chakrey Nhiek Tioulong. The latter was a high-ranking Cambodian official [and former general] and he was also a faithful follower of former King Norodom Sihanouk during his crusade to demand independence from France, as well as under the Sangkum Reastr Niyum regime.

During Duch’s hearing, Mrs. Tioulong Antonia recounted her sadness for the loss of her older sister and her brother-in-law, Mrs. Tioulong Rainsy and Mr. Lim Ky Mary, who were killed on 31 April 1976 at the Tuol Sleng jail. Mrs. Tioulong Antonia said that this crime cannot be pardoned and it cannot take place again any longer. Before ending her statement, Mrs. Tioulong Antonia also asked Duch to confirm the killing of her sister and her brother-in-law.

Duch then stood up from the corner of the court chamber, and he politely replied to Mrs. Tioulong Antonia, recognizing the fact that the couple was indeed killed at S-21 (Tuol Sleng) jail. As for the decision to send the couple to their death at the Tuol Sleng jail, Duch indicated that it was the policy of the Communist Party of Kampuchea. Duch also saluted and greeted Mrs. Meas Ket, the wife of Samdech Chakrey Tioulong, who was also present in the hearing chamber. Duch’s hearing on 18 August continued with the testimony from three other victims: (1) 33-year-old Hav Sophea whose father, Mr. Chin Sea, was killed at the Tuol Sleng jail, (2) 55-year-old So Song whose brother-in-law, Mr. Meas Sun, was killed in Tuol Sleng, and (3) 52-year-old Neth Phally, whose older brother Neth Bunthy, was killed in Tuol Sleng jail.