Khmer Rouge survivors urge fair trial
- 13 years ago
Survivors and sympathisers of those killed during the Khmer Rouge regime gathered in Phnom Penh, Sunday.
Families, friends and loved ones lit incense and said prayers asking for swift and fair justice during a special tribunal against senior members of the regime, set to begin Monday.
Victims recalled terrible acts of torture, including being beaten and scalded with hot water.
This woman said she wants those on trial to acknowledge the truth of their actions.
The United Nations backed tribunal will hear cases against three of the four senior members of the regime. The fourth, leng Thirith (in-tir-it), was declared mentally ill and unfit for trial.
An earlier court ruling that reduced a sentence for a former prison chief known as Duch (doik) from 35 years to 19, drew public anger and frustration.
Public opinion for Monday's trial has been pessimistic at best.
Still court representatives say they are ready to fight for justice.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER FOR EXTRAORDINARY CHAMBERS IN THE COURTS OF CAMBODIA, HUY VANNAK, SAYING:
"This is our big thing to do in order to respond to the expectation from the public. But we need to make sure that we fulfill our job to deliver justice for all, to find justice for all."
An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians - a quarter of the population - died from 1975-1979 of execution, torture, starvation or disease.
Julie Noce, Reuters
Families, friends and loved ones lit incense and said prayers asking for swift and fair justice during a special tribunal against senior members of the regime, set to begin Monday.
Victims recalled terrible acts of torture, including being beaten and scalded with hot water.
This woman said she wants those on trial to acknowledge the truth of their actions.
The United Nations backed tribunal will hear cases against three of the four senior members of the regime. The fourth, leng Thirith (in-tir-it), was declared mentally ill and unfit for trial.
An earlier court ruling that reduced a sentence for a former prison chief known as Duch (doik) from 35 years to 19, drew public anger and frustration.
Public opinion for Monday's trial has been pessimistic at best.
Still court representatives say they are ready to fight for justice.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER FOR EXTRAORDINARY CHAMBERS IN THE COURTS OF CAMBODIA, HUY VANNAK, SAYING:
"This is our big thing to do in order to respond to the expectation from the public. But we need to make sure that we fulfill our job to deliver justice for all, to find justice for all."
An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians - a quarter of the population - died from 1975-1979 of execution, torture, starvation or disease.
Julie Noce, Reuters