VOA Khmer Masthead

Text Only Version
Search

 
Duch's Week at Tribunal Stirs Anger


29 February 2008
Chun Sakada reports in Khmer (1.11 MB) - Download (MP3) audio clip
Chun Sakada reports in Khmer (1.11 MB) - Listen (MP3) audio clip

When some residents of Phnom Penh heard Duch was to be taken to Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, on radio and on television, it stirred in them old anger.

They said Friday they want Duch tried, along with four other jailed Khmer Rouge leaders, as soon as possible.

"We don't want to take revenge against Duch and the other Khmer Rouge leaders, but I support the punishment of the Khmer Rogue leaders, and want them to know what they've done wrong in the past," said Uk Dy, 45, a taxi driver in the capital.

This week, Duch toured the Choeung Ek "killing fields" and Tuol Sleng prison--which he directed under the Khmer Rouge--with tribunal judges and witnesses.

On Thursday and Friday, witnesses confronted the former prison chief in two days of confidential proceedings.

Leang Eng, 47, a cart vendor of sweet cakes, said she shook with anger when she heard Duch was visiting Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng, because she believes her two brothers were executed after imprisonment in Tuol Sleng, and she knows he was in control.

"I want the Khmer Rouge tribunal to seriously punish Duch and the other Khmer Rouge leaders for their past crimes," she said. "Seriously. Seriously."

"I hate Duch, killing his Cambodian countrymen," said Var Ieng Leang, 56, a housewife. "I am very angry at him, and I can't forget the history of the Khmer Rouge killing fields, because my relatives were killed during that time. I have kept in my deep hatred for the Khmer Rouge leaders, but I cannot do anything against them. But I will let the Khmer Rouge tribunal punish them, in conformity with the law."

emailme.gif E-mail this article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Cambodia News
Cambodia's Garment Workers Hit by Recession  Video clip available

  More Stories
Group Seeks to Keep Cambodian Arts Alive
NGOs Too Lack Resource Protection Capacity  Audio Clip Available
Cambodia Marks Independence Day  Audio Clip Available
Appeals Court Postpones Acid Attack Case  Audio Clip Available
Former King Remembered for Independence Day  Audio Clip Available
Thais Threaten to Close Cambodian Borders  Audio Clip Available
Journalist Handed Two Years for Disinformation  Audio Clip Available
Hun Sen in Tokyo To Discuss Mekong Development  Audio Clip Available
Thais Recall Ambassador Over Thaksin Job  Audio Clip Available
Tribunal Gives Update on Second Investigation  Audio Clip Available
National Budget Risks High Deficits: World Bank  Audio Clip Available
National Power Plan Outdated: Report  Audio Clip Available
Appeals Court Takes Up Acid Attack Case  Audio Clip Available
Thaksin Appointed ‘Adviser’ to Hun Sen  Audio Clip Available
Private Companies Prepare To Enter Stock Exchange  Audio Clip Available
Spirit of Tribunal Honors Victims: Official  Audio Clip Available
Carter To Visit Habitat for Humanity Homes  Audio Clip Available
Water Festival Wraps Up in Capital  Audio Clip Available
Opposition Accused of Border Post Destruction  Audio Clip Available
Thais Protest Over Soldiers on Border  Audio Clip Available
Beehive Radio Owner Dons Monk Robes  Audio Clip Available
Cambodia Mulls Resource Transparency Initiative  Audio Clip Available
‘Peace’ a Legacy of Sihanouk: Official  Audio Clip Available
New Tribunal Budget Anticipates More Indictments  Audio Clip Available
Opposition Lawmaker To Return from US  Audio Clip Available
‘Jungle Girl’ Falls Ill After Return to Forest  Audio Clip Available
Filmmaker Hopes to Bring Justice in Acid Attack  Audio Clip Available
Areas Near Lake Development Now Flooded  Audio Clip Available
Thais To Explain Thaksin Charges to Hun Sen  Audio Clip Available
H1N1 Claims Fourth Cambodian  Audio Clip Available
Katina Worshippers Barred from Remote Pagoda  Audio Clip Available
Sex Trade Continues Despite Laws: Group  Audio Clip Available
Telecoms Ordered to Allow Cross-Network Calls  Audio Clip Available
Appeals Court Upholds Fines for Mu Sochua  Audio Clip Available