Magazine of the Documentation Center of Cambodia Searching for THE TRUTH w Justice and Forgiveness w A History of Violence “I think it´s important to keep this history alive, so people who were not here, who SpecialEnglish Edition did not witness the atrocity, can see it and can remember this part of the history,” Second Quater 2015 March 17, 2006. -- Michelle Lee, UN Coordinator for the Khmer Rouge Trials Searching for the truth. TABLE OF CONTENTS Magazine of the Documentation Center of Cambodia Special English Edition, Second Quarter 2015 EDITORIAL Justice and Forgiveness 1 Museum of Memory 3 Ambassador Scheffer Speaks at Opening of US 6 I don’t think people learned the lesson 8 DOCUMENTATION Khoem Chhum, Undersecretary of Region 43 10 HISTORY Found the Documents but Still Hope 20 War Ruined My Education 22 My Father’s Life during Black Clothes Regime 24 Death of Vietnamese Refugees and Thai Fishermen 27 Former Chief Division 2 in the Northwest Zone 30 Background and Summary of activities of So Phim 33 LEGAL UN Credibility on Trial in Cambodia 36 A student was reading during the Democratic Kampuchea regime in 1978 PUBLIC DEBATE A History of Violence 39 Copyright © 40 Years After KR Victory 43 Documentation Center of Cambodia All rights reserved. FAMILY TRACING Licensed by the Ministry of Information of Why Was I Found Guilty? 46 the Royal Government of Cambodia, Prakas No.0291 P.M99, 2 August 1999. Photographs by the Documentation Center of Cambodia and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Contributor: Sok-Kheang Ly, Sera Ing, Julianne Sibiski, Devid Scheffer, Farina So, Pheaktra Yi, Seanghai Veng, Rithy Daut, Chenda Seang, Vannak Sok, Dany Long, John D.Ciorciari, Sabastian Stranggio, Suyheang Kry, Terith Chy, Sophea Chou, Staff Writer: Sarakmonin Teav and Chheng Veng Editor in Chief: Bunthorn Som English Editor in Chief: Cindy Coleman Publisher: Youk Chhang, Translator: Ammaroith Chhim, Seyla Em and Sopheak Pheana Graphic Designer: Sovandany Kim Distributor: Sorn Leak Email: [email protected], Homepage: www.dccam.org SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH u LETTER JUSTICE AND FORGIVENESS _____________________________________________________________________________________________________Sok-Kheang Ly A critical question that arises after the Khmer Besides the almost insurmountable struggle for Rouge’s fall in January, 1979 is whether forgiveness survival, the survivors of the regime have also had can be acheived and thus heal this once divided to endure the losses of family members. It was nation, and whether or not it has to occur parallel estimated that approximately one quarter of the with the notion of justice. While forgiveness may be total Cambodian population died under the KR’s possible for some individuals and a good indicator notorious policies and extremist ideologies, and of reconciliation, justice, especially holding middle- most citizens in modern-day Cambodia have lost at and high-ranking officials accountable for their least one member of their family as a result of the crimes, remains a challenge. KR. The KR regime still lingers in the psyche of Since 1979, the country has sought to heal by many Cambodian people, constantly reminding relying upon coping mechanisms found in them of one of the worst human rights violations in numerous aspects of our society, ie the celebration human history. The most challenging question for of the Day of Remembrance, the teaching of KR them is who to forgive and why it is important. atrocities in an informal and formal setting, the People at Oddar Meanchey province attend the Public Forum on Genocide Education organized by the Documentation Center of Cambodia DOCUMENTATION CENTER OF CAMBODIA (DC-CAM) u 1 SPECIAL ENGLISH EDITION, SECOND QUARTER 2015 non-verbal expression of apology in the Cambodian authority to make any decisions. However, it is also context, and other peace-building processes. Many undeniable that many others acted on their whims of these guide individuals to forgive each other and or went beyond their superior’s orders to commit the past, though forgiveness is a personal matter. human rights violations and crimes against Religion – namely Buddhism, Islam and humanity. That’s why the levels of crimes during the Christianity, to name a few – is, among other things, KR rule varied from one place to another. This observed to play a fruitful role in helping heal past might be due to the morality and personality of wounds in accordance with their beliefs and those in authority at that time. practices. Not only the victims but also the However, forgiveness and court discretion are perpetrators who always claim to be victims different. Justice does not act on personal themselves have sought forgiveness. Meas Muth, a understanding, but onfact and evidence. Now Meas former navy chief during the KR regime, is one of Muth faces criminal charges of war crimes and the the recent examples. He talked about his efforts to crimes against humanity at the Extraordinary construct a pagoda for his community (The Phnom Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia as a suspect Penh Post, March 12, 2015). Perhaps, it’s a in Case 003. The enforcement of his legal generous gesture that many former KR members responsibilities in this Case may provide other have taken to seek forgiveness. Those former KR former KR with a good model to end the habit of members, at least, may get a sense of relief for the blaming external factors for individuals’ own social and religious achievement in their respective misdeeds. This judicial process could deepen communities. In turn, the victims may see this forgiveness, while memorialising the past is needed generosity and view it as a non-verbal apology. in our society. As Muth’s intention to seek Forgiveness can be possible for some victims. forgiveness through his actions is a good thing, we What is striking is that Meas Muth made a should not discount the court’s discretion in bold statement about forgiveness. In many ways, summoning him to reveal the truth. he may be right in that many former KR were made ____________________________ to commit crimes or were not in a position of Sok-Kheang Ly (From left to right): Pat Darapipoon and people attend the Public Forum on Genocide Education organized by the Documentation Center of Cambodia DOCUMENTATION CENTER OF CAMBODIA (DC-CAM) u 2 SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH u LETTER MUSEUM OF MEMORY THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF PHNOM PENH CITY: 17 APRIL 1975 – 17 APRIL 2015 HOW CAN WE FORGET? IT IS AN UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF HUMANITY _____________________________________________________________________________________________________Sera Ing and Juliann Sibiski What does the passage of time do to history? the Cambodian people’s unfortunate journey Naturally, people pass away, memories fade, and towards separation, starvation, execution and the emotions of the past become diluted by the genocide. 17 April, 2015 marks the 40th anxieties of the present and future. But does history anniversary of this horrific chapter in Cambodia’s ever become any less consequential? On 17 April, history, and while we take time to consider this 1975, the Khmer Rouge forces entered Phnom history and its impact on Cambodian society, it is Penh. Approximately two million people were living important that we also call attention to the in Cambodia’s capital city at the time. fundamental principle that informs our work. Immediately upon arrival, the Khmer Rouge Mankind’s propensity for indifference can be as began the first phase of what they described as an dangerous as his propensity for violence. Over 75 ‘evacuation.’ This phase would later be classified as years ago, on the eve of Nazi Germany’s invasion of forced transfer. This forced transfer touched nearly Poland, Adolf Hitler urged his generals to show no every geographic region of Cambodia, and it began mercy on the Polish people, stating, “Who, after all, People were evacuated by Khmer Rouge on 17 April, 1975 DOCUMENTATION CENTER OF CAMBODIA (DC-CAM) u 3 SPECIAL ENGLISH EDITION, SECOND QUARTER 2015 speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” commemorate the 40th anniversary of when the Indifference (as much as ignorance) opens the Khmer Rouge seized control of Cambodia, the doorway to inhumanity. Indifference is civilization’s Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) is acquiescence to predators, and it is the tell-tale sign pleased to organize a variety of events in which the of a society that is destined to repeat the errors of Center has closely collaborated with both its past. It is easy to become indifferent. Without a Cambodian and international institutions. The 40th concerted effort to remember and learn, the anniversary commemorative events will utilize five lessons of the past seem less relevant. The first step unique concepts, including spiritual connotation, in any effort to confront indifference is research and photography, abstract painting, history, local and awareness. The painstaking effort of global initiatives, and film. The events are as documentation, which includes interviews, follows: document collection, archiving, and translation, lays 1. The 464 Urns: Nothing is Permanent – will the foundation for scholarly research, analysis, and be held in the main building of Wat Langka Pagoda eventually education. Education, however, must and made possible through collaboration with Wat transcend the mere regurgitation of knowledge—it Langka Pagoda and the support of the Embassy of must challenge people to think critically about the United States of America in Phnom Penh, U.S. themselves, their communities, and their nation. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Music, art, performance, and other cultural the Seabees of NMCB FIVE. expressions also serve a crucial role in bridging 2. Phnom Penh 1979 – photo exhibition divides and opening up the collective along the river in front of Wat Unaloam Pagoda, in consciousness to new perspectives. None of these collaboration with the City Municipality of Phnom efforts alone can prevent, let alone stamp out, Penh.