113 villagers from Dam Be district in Kampong Cham province visited the ECCC and the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum on 13 October 2009 as a part of a new outreach program organized by the ECCC Public Affairs Section.
The villagers were picked up by buses provided free of charge by the ECCC early in the morning, before they were taken to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, which is on the premises of what used to be the secret Khmer Rouge prison S-21. At this particular day the participants received a two hour guided tour by Mr. Chum Mey, one of only seven known survivors of S-21. Mr. Chum Mey is also a Civil Party in Case 001 before the ECCC, and he gave a testimony before the Trial Chamber on 30 June 2009.
After the visit to Toul Sleng, the group was taken to ECCC for lunch. Afterwards they received a presentation of the court and had a chance to ask questions about the ECCC proceedings.
The ECCC Public Affairs Section will continue to organize visits to Toul Sleng and ECCC twice a week during the recess in Case 001, enabling Cambodian villagers to gain knowledge about the ECCC proceedings and the Khmer Rouge regime.
