Though the
Khmer Rouge regime fell in 1979, it has taken many years to put its leaders on
trial for their crimes against humanity. Cambodia called out for international
help for a tribunal back in the mid-90s, but the United Nations did not
establish any trials until 2006. Former Khmer Rouge head of state, Nuon Chea,
deputy prime minister, Ieng Sary, president of state, Khieu Samphan, and mass
executioner, Kheng Khek Leu "Comrade Duch," were all put on trial
that year. Ieng Sary's wife, Ieng Thirith, was also held by the courts for a
time for her role in the genocide, but was released in September 2012 because
she is suspected to have Alzheimer's disease, and cannot adequately be tried. Her
sister was married to Pol Pot, the leader of the Khmer Rouge movement, but
Thirith was by far the most powerful woman in the regime ("Khmer
rouge ex-minister," 2012).
Comrade Duch is the only to
be sentenced thus far. In 2010, he appealed his initial sentencing of 35 years,
and it was reduced to 19 because he had already spent 11 years behind bars
throughout the court process. He admitted and apologized for his role in the
deaths of many Cambodians. Many of the victims of the Khmer Rouge were very upset
about the results of the trial, and thought that it was not sentence enough for
the atrocities which he aided in. All three of the remaining men have denied
the charges brought against them, including, "crimes against humanity,
genocide, religious persecution, homicide, and torture" (Walker,
2011). Since these individuals were not brought to judgement until decades
after their initial involvement, most of them are already into their 80s.
Those on the prosecuting
side fear that the courts may pity them for their old age, and many citizens of
Cambodia who were alive during the Khmer Rouge leadership are outraged that
they have been able to live their lives without being held accountable for so
long. The movement's leader, Pol Pot, died back in 1998 without ever being
tried. At the time, he was on house arrest under the Ta Mok faction of the
Khmer Rouge regime. This faction was named for and by the 5th
"brother" in the Khmer Rouge leadership, Chhit Choeun
"Butcher," and still had a powerful influence and led the northern
areas even after the regime dissolved in 1979. (Ta Mok also died before he
could be sentenced, in 2006.) Though official reports state that Pot died of a
heart attack during this time, many who were close to him claim he was poisoned (Aglionby,
2006).
This is the first attempt at
such a tribunal. The courts in Cambodia, known as the "extraordinary
chambers" are administering the trials. The judges presiding are a mix of
Cambodian and internation members alike; this is the first trial of this kind.
Foreign countries have been asked by the United Nations to voluntarily
contribute to help carry out the cost of this trial by making donations. In
recent years, the countries that were helping fund Cambodian courts for these
trials have been hindered by recessions. If not for this financial hurdle, the
courts would be able to carry out this judicial process more
efficiently (Scheffer, 2012).
Current Prime Minister of
Cambodia, Hun Sen, wants the trials to end for good after this, because he
fears it is tearing the country apart. With the exception of Kheng Khek Leu, each of the higher ranking individuals continues to deny
any wrong-doing. The trials are set to end in 2015, but without any cooperation
from these witnesses, it is unsure as to how the paranoid, and extremely
gruesome legacy of the Khmer Rouge will be held accountable.
Khmer rouge ex-minister ieng thirith's release date delayed. (2012, September 14). BBC News.
Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19582627
Walker, P. (2011, November 27). Khmer rouge leaders go on trial in cambodia charged with
genocide.The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/21/khmer-
rouge-leaders-trial-cambodia
Aglionby, J. (2006, July 21). Obituary: Ta mok. The Guardian. Retrieved from
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2006/jul/22/guardianobituaries.johnaglionby
Scheffer, D. (2012, August 28). No way to fund a war-crime's tribunal. New York Times. Retrieved
Vlasic, M. (2012, March 13).
Life for comrade duch, a milestone for
international justice. The
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