This picture gives me chills.
It’s from inside the United Nations-backed Extraordinary Chambers in Phnom Penh this week. Notice the genocide victims’ family members and monks watching in the background as accused genocide leader, Nuon Chea, takes the stand.
I’m keeping my eye on the trial because it’s the first time a Khmer Rouge leader of this rank has faced questions over his role in the deaths of 2,000,000 Cambodians between 1975 and 1979.
This week, during his first ever public questioning, Nuon Chea blamed others for the atrocities. He said,
“I don’t want the next generations to misunderstand the history. I don’t want them to misunderstand that the Khmer Rouge are bad people, are criminals. Nothing is true about that. These war crimes and crimes against humanity were not committed by the Cambodian people. It was the Vietnamese who killed Cambodians.”
Click the video below to see Nuon Chea’s testimony from Monday, raw and uncut. It’s voiced-over in English.
Skip to 16:40 on the timeline. That’s when he tells us for the first time why he helped lead this murderous regime.
The case against the three leaders has been split into three smaller cases because of fears the elderly men might die before the proceedings are finished. All three deny their charges.
To learn more about this dark and crucial part of world history, click the “Genocide” tab at the top of the page.
I will always read these serious post with interest. It is so horrible and hard to find words to express feelings about this. It is just so difficult to place that happening. We really have had easy lives. Makes me think and feel grateful. Thanks for what you do.
Thanks for what YOU do, Dianna. And, thank you for always boosting me up. I have a hard time imagining what happened too. And, an even harder time grasping that the only small hints of justice are just now happening, more than 30 years later. There are a lot of Cambodians who can’t, or don’t, pay attention to this trial. Either it’s too painful, or they understand that true justice may be out of reach for this corrupted court.
Hey Barang, I got to see Jim Leher (Sp?) yesterday. He must be near 80, and he is better in person than on TV. He said he grew up in Wichita, but was a proud alum of the Mizzou school of journalism. He said he has written 20 novels, and always comes to Wichita to write, as he was convinced that your most creative age is 16, and you should go back to that place to be creative. He said the value of the presidential debates was not a debate on the issues, since most people have made up thier minds on the issues. The real value is the impression the candidate makes, and how we imagine that person would react if seated in the oval office. Impressions on TV can be opposite than on radio. Keep us posted on the Cambodian trial. Kansas Mike
Hey Kansas Mike–
That’s cool that you got to talk to Jim Lehrer! The News Hour was great when he was on it. Where did you see him? I actually had forgotten that he went to Mizzou. That’s interesting that he thinks 16 is your most creative age…I guess that’s why so many of us return to our roots eventually. And, I’m a bit nervous following Jim’s words and trying to imagine any of the Republican candidates in the oval office. Good to hear from you and thanks for sharing your experience. I hope all is well in W-town. Tell Kay I said hi. Travis
Keep sharing. I hope the trials can reach a conclusion that will bring some measure of peace and resolution to the people. I can’t imagine how the accused have lived with themselves all these years. Love, Kaki
I know I hope so too, Kaki. It feels good to see some semblance of justice, but there’s still a lot of corruption. And, these guys may die soon. And, Cambodia has so many other issues right now dealing with development that seem more pertinent to a lot of the people living here.
But, of course there are those who are watching this closely. I just hope people in other places are paying attention. I mean, these things can happen again if we’re not careful. I was just reading that the death count from government killings in Syria is 4,000 and rising.
I love you too.