The Khmer Rouge on trial
By Michael J.W. Stickings
Cambodia has set up a tribunal to examine the genocidal crimes committed by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge three decades ago -- and to judge the perpetrators. There has been criticism of the process, but the government claims it is still committed to going ahead.
I hope so. And I hope that the tribunal is taken seriously and that some measure of justice emerges from it.
In the meantime, I highly recommend this excellent piece by Jürgen Kremb at Der Spiegel. Entitled "The Guardians of Hell: Cambodia Prepares for Khmer Rouge Tribunal," it looks both at the genocide itself and at Pol Pot's rule within the context of Cambodian history. It also includes the story of Nhem Sal, one of only seven survivors of Tuol Sleng, or S-21, the Khmer Rouge's notorious torture camp in Phnom Penh. (An estimated 17-20,000 inmates were held at Tuol Sleng between 1975 and 1979. At least 1.7 million people were killed during Pol Pot's rule, though the actual number may be much higher.)
It's a must-read.
Cambodia has set up a tribunal to examine the genocidal crimes committed by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge three decades ago -- and to judge the perpetrators. There has been criticism of the process, but the government claims it is still committed to going ahead.
I hope so. And I hope that the tribunal is taken seriously and that some measure of justice emerges from it.
In the meantime, I highly recommend this excellent piece by Jürgen Kremb at Der Spiegel. Entitled "The Guardians of Hell: Cambodia Prepares for Khmer Rouge Tribunal," it looks both at the genocide itself and at Pol Pot's rule within the context of Cambodian history. It also includes the story of Nhem Sal, one of only seven survivors of Tuol Sleng, or S-21, the Khmer Rouge's notorious torture camp in Phnom Penh. (An estimated 17-20,000 inmates were held at Tuol Sleng between 1975 and 1979. At least 1.7 million people were killed during Pol Pot's rule, though the actual number may be much higher.)
It's a must-read.
posted by Michael J.W. Stickings at
1:58 AM
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