More than 350 commune council members from Kampot province visited the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) on 12 July 2011. They came to study and gain understanding of the process of prosecuting senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge and those alleged to be most responsible for serious crimes committed between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979. They were determined to share the information and knowledge acquired with their constituents once they returned back to their villages.
During the one day Study Tour Program organized by ECCC’s Public Affairs Section, the participants visited Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), Cheoung Ek Killing Field Memorial Site and the ECCC courtroom. The visiting commune council members and village chiefs were briefed about the latest development in the Khmer Rouge trials, the ECCC history and court process. The visitors also took the opportunity to ask a wide range of questions about the ongoing proceedings.
Touch Vanhorn, Chief of Nord Bantray Meas’ coummune in Kampot’s Beateay Meas district, one of participants said that the ECCC Study Tour Program is very important because it provides information about the Khmer Rouge regime and the ECCC to people. “I am very happy with this Study Tour organized by ECCC. I saw with my own eyes the death pits at Cheung Ek and photos of victims at Tuol Sleng. I feel pain and pity for those Khmer Rouge victims”, Touch Vanhorn said. “When I saw all those pictures, it made me remember all the things that happened during the Khmer Rouge, and I am a victim too.”
Touch Vanhorn said that he and other members of the commune council will transfer the information and knowledge they aquired during this Study Tour to the other people in their home villages. “I will bring the information and extraordinary aspect of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal to inform my villagers, and I will facilitate if they also wish to participate in the Study Tour Program”, Vanhorn added.
Nem Beav, Chief of Tropaing Kanchet village in Kampot’s Teuk Chhou district also expressed his satisfaction with the Study Tour Program, and he appreciate the oppurtunity to visit the ECCC courtroom. “The Khmer Rouge Trial will bring justice for victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. I was very upset to see death pits and photos of victims at S-21.” Nem Beav said.
The ECCC has experienced an unprecented public interest in the proceedings, both from people from all corners of Cambodia as well as from abroad. Nearly 100 000 people has so far visited the ECCC as part of the Study Tour Program or during public hearing