Wednesday, 22 April 2009

The Court Presents Another Witness of Duch’s Atrocities at the M-13 Center - Tuesday, 21.4.2009

Posted on 22 April 2009

The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 609

“The court hearing former Khmer Rouge leaders continued its trial in the morning of 20 April 2009 about the role and responsibility of Kaing Kek Eav, alias Duch, at the M-13 prison center in the Amleang region in Kompong Speu’s Thpong district. The court presented another witness, Chan Voeun – male, 56 – who claimed that he worked under the order of Kaing Kek Eav, alias Duch, at the M-13 Center. This new witness counted executions made directly by Kaing Kek Eav while this suspect still claims that he had never killed people himself, but admitted that he ordered executions following the party’s policy.

“In the hearing which was not transmitted live on television and radio like before, the number of participants in the hearing dropped more than expected, and compared to the previous times the number of participants dropped by almost half. Court officials of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal recognized that the number of attendees as well as of journalists declined. This is because there was no wide broadcast announcement about Kaing Kek Eav’s hearing, and information did not reach the citizens who want to observe it, and also journalists are not aware of the continuing hearings. However, the court is blamed because of the absence of many participants.

“The spokesperson of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia - called the Khmer Rouge Tribunal - Mr. Reach Sambath, acknowledged the lower number of participants, because the court did not pick them up like at previous times. Compared to the first hearing on 30 March 2009, the number declined by about 50%. This is because the announcement about the follow-up hearing process yesterday, on Monday, was not shared widely, and the transportation of citizens was not organized as normal. Nevertheless, officials of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal said that they will fix this problem.

“It is noted that Kaing Kek Eav’s hearing yesterday was quieter than before. Previously, hearings were published through the National Television of Cambodia and through the National Radio. Moreover, there were brief announcements by some local private television stations. But yesterday, the media, which had previously made announcements about the hearings did not publish anything as before. This made the number of attendees decline, compared to previous hearings.

“Regarding the hearing, facing the new witness, Chan Voeun, who put blame on the suspect Kaing Kek Eav over the killings at the M-13 Center, Duch claimed that the explanation or description by the witness Chan Voeun is 100% untrue. Furthermore, what Chan Voeun said, is mostly based on what was said from person to person during the time of responsibility of Duch, while he was the chief of the M-13 Prison Center. Duch responded that the argument of the witness is absolutely untrue, but what the witness said is just what he heard from other persons.

“Chan Voeun, 56, claimed that he was a staff member under direct orders by Kaing Kek Eav while he was the chief of the M-13 Prison Center in the Amleang region, where Chan Voeun lived, near Kompong Speu’s Thpong district. Chan Voeun said that Duch killed people himself many times which led to rumors about the atrocities of the M-13 Center’s chief. Chan Voeun’s claim was dismissed by Duch, saying that he had never killed people himself, but he did ordere some torture. Torture was made to extract answers over the responsibility of some suspects, under the same political ruler of the party. Anyway, Duch admitted some wrongdoings leading to the end of many people’s lives in the M-13 Center in Kompong Speu’s Thpong district.

“The trial process of former Khmer Rouge leaders is facing concerns over the shortage of funds. As for the number of participants, it becomes less and less mentioned as people see that it seems there is an intention for an extension. The hearing of Duch will continue until Thursday. Then, there will be a break. The whole process will be finished in July with a judgment about Kaing Kek Eav’s fate. Awaiting justice for Kaing Kek Eav’s responsibilities as chief of the S-21 Prison Center where nearly 20,000 innocent people were killed, seems to have taken so long.

“Kaing Kek Eav is the only person who remembers, explains, and acknowledges some truth about the killings of people during the Khmer Rouge Regime between 15 April 1975 and 7 January 1979. As for [former head of state] Khiev Samphan and [former president of the National Assembly] Noun Chea, they always deny that they were involved in ruling the country which led to the killings of innocent people.”

Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.16, #3737, 21.4.2009
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 21 April 2009

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