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Posted March 31, 2009 by DeeChea
+++ This blog was originally written in late Feb - but I hadn't joined KhmerWitica yet hence the lateness. It was also written for a social media class where knowledge/familiarity with Cambodia and it's violent history was (and still is) non-existence for the most part. +++
I know, blogging faux par #1: it’s too long!!! But bear with me, this is actually the edited, shortened version:
Cambodia. Have you hear of it? If you have, the first things that come to mind are … those majestic ancient temples (e.g. Angkor Wat) or maybe “The Killing Fields” – the movie. And if you haven’t, well, that’s not all that unusual.
Today, Cambodia or Kingdom of Kampuchea is one of the poorest and most corrupt third-world countries in SE Asia. It is a country that has experienced French colonization, independence, industrialization, civil wars, atomic bombs (courtesy of Nixon and Kissinger), genocide, and a “multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy” – all in one century. Am I bitter about it? Yeah, I am … just a little - maybe a lot. Depends on my mood. Sometimes, it’s very conflicting being a Cambodian-American.
Anyways, if you’ve seen the movie, “The Killing Fields”, you’ll know about the genocide; the genocide that killed approximately 1.7 million people from 1975 – 1979. The culprit? The Khmer Rouge. And how were they punished for their crimes against humanity? Well, we’re still working on that. You see, two weeks ago, the Khmer Rouge Tribunal finally took place. And yes, that makes it some thirty-odd years since the actual incident. Will the victims finally getting their long, awaited justice? That’s a matter of opinion.
There are a total of five people on trial. You’d think an international trial backed by the UN could do better than that … I suppose the fact that Hun Sen, the current Prime Minister of Cambodia and many other top government officials – who all used to soldiers in the Khmer Rouge, has something to do with it.
Personally, I think whatever justice is brought about by this trial will be merely subjective. The trial will take years and millions of dollars. A majority of the people in Cambodia did not know the trial has started nor will they have the means to follow the trial. The expats living abroad will follow it to a certain degree but there’s the problem of limited information availability to the public. Of course, my parents and hundreds of thousands of others want their justice. But what is justice when some of the very people conducting the trial are guilty of the same crimes as the defendants? The time and money is better spent on a new government, westernizing the country, or a better education system.
Then again, it is not my justice, I was not there. I will never understand the four years of living in hell. And sadly, it is too painful to ask my parents to relive their horror to benefit my knowledge and curiosity. So, what are your thoughts on the matter? Is justice too little, too late?
Sidenote: I will write a review on a book called “Survivors” by Sucheng Chan in April (it will coincide with both the Khmer New Year’s and the start of the Khmer Rouge genocide).
theary wrote at April 3, 2009
0 Votes 
at the very least, this trial is testing the judicial system of cambodia with pressure from international scrutiny. while i understand your contention that the money may be spent elsewhere, it is my opinion that a true democratic civil society begins with the process towards a fair judiciary system. and any government (for it to be considered legitimate), or revitilization of the country or education system starts with this premise of justice within the system. that the hun sen government actively works to obstruct both the prosecution and the defense of duch, illustrates this need most clearly.
all this circus action does show something important. it upholds the virtue of a fair system. that the system is attainable and that it is worth pursuing. duch has a defense team that by all accounts is working to give him a fair trial, which includes active protection of habeas corpus, and (obviously) a fair defense.
DeeChea wrote at April 3, 2009
0 Votes
Yes, opinions count ... and yet you criticize me for "sounding like the Cambodia PM Hun Sen." Quite the contradiction, don't you think? Not to mention, condescending. To say, I'm deeply offended by that comment would be an understatement.
And here's my response to your comment:
Firstly, I never claimed to understand the feelings of living through the KR regime. If you read the blog again, it's quite evident that I don't. Secondly, you say justice is never too late. What is justice? What is justice when it concerns millions of people? The punishment of those in the KR regime? What about all the people involved that lead to the popularity of the KR? I merely stated that the money and time is better suited for other things like education, etc. Of course, a new government would top that list but hey, we need to be realistic here. Thirdly, I can't say for sure that it was an atomic bomb - but the bombing of Cambodia was much, much worse than that of Japan in WWII. And yes, the bombs were dropped to stop the Viet Cong in their tracks but it was still Cambodia and many civilian lives were lost.
And lastly, while I appreciate your input, maybe you should do it without sounding so ... rude.
hemsoo wrote at April 1, 2009
0 Votes
Welcome to KW where opinion count...
Here is my response in regard to your blog
- You did not understand the feeling of going through the KR regime
- It is better late for this trial to start than never and the money is not wasted and justice is not too late...
and Nixon and Kissinger never ordered the Atomic bomb o drop in Cambodia (only the B52 bombs dropped on Ho Chi Ming Trail)
and you are right it is not your justice because you are not there. Can you refrain from criticizing this trial (you sound like the Cambodian PM Hun Sen)?.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
malaika wrote at April 1, 2009
0 Votes
Read this article if you haven't. It's on KW: http://www.khmerwitica.com/blog/view/id_650/title_justice-for-whom/
Chey_Chumneas wrote at March 31, 2009
0 Votes
but is it possible to follow rwanda since Cambodia mostly buddhist?
Khmer Feminist wrote at March 31, 2009
0 Votes
Sorry, can you delete these last two posts? For some reason the alginment is all messed up.
Khmer Feminist wrote at March 31, 2009
0 Votes
Unfortunately, it's hard to prove corruption going on with the trial, but I wouldn't be surprised. This trial, like
the Nuremberg Trials, is not about bringing back the dead, but it's about
bringing closure to a tragic chapter of our people's history. One can
only hope, that it can allow survivors to move forward. Too bad Hun Sen
and his cronies can't be put on trial for war crimes against humanity...
Khmer Feminist wrote at March 31, 2009
0 Votes
Unfortunately, it's hard to prove corruption going on with the trial, but I wouldn't be surprised. This trial, like
the Nuremberg Trials, is not about bringing back the dead, but it's
about bringing closure to a tragic chapter of our people's history. One can only hope, that it can allow survivors to move forward. Too bad Hun Sen and his cronies can't be put on trial for war crimes against humanity...
