On the 14th July, 200 visitors from Takeo Province came to learn about the history of the court, and what we do here. 58-year-old farmer, Tuy Ry, spoke to the Public Affairs Team about his experiences during the Khmer Rouge regime, and gave his opinion, on what the courts meant to him. He said that he had seen the trial on TV, and wanted to come to see it with his own eyes. He wanted to learn about the trial of the senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge, and gave his input on appropriate measures of justice, whilst, modestly, explaining that he would leave that decision to the judge.
Tuy Ry explained that his personal history was very long and very sad. During the regime, he described himself as used, and forced to work very hard. He was sent to a worksite- a dam, in Takeo Province. He lost four members of his family, including his uncle.
Tuy Ry believed that it was good that the tribunal existed, in order to show that the mass killings, and crimes committed, under the regime, did indeed happen. He was aware of Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, but was unsure of the names of other senior leaders.
When asked, if he spoke to his children about what happened during the regime, he expressed that he did, but that it was hard for them to believe it, without seeing for themselves the stupas, and other concrete evidence. He said it was very important to teach the youth about what happened, but that as today is very different, it is hard to know their minds.
When asked what he thought appropriate justice would be, for the Khmer Rouge leaders, he suggested that life imprisonment would be a suitable sentence, but he would leave that to the courts. He wanted justice, not just for him, but for all the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime.
After an-hour long presentation, by Public Affairs officer, Pheaktra Neth, Tuy Ry was happy with what he learnt, and said that he would go home to talk about it further with other villagers. He also expressed interest in visiting S-21 and Choeng-Ek to learn more about the regime.
On asked, what he thought of Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, following the presentation, he said that they were just defending themselves, and trying to escape the law.
To learn more about our courts, and to visit yourself, please email pas@eccc.gov.kh, or go to www.eccc.gov.kh/about-ecc/visitor-info/visitors.
For more information about the courts, and to watch trial videos, including live-streaming from the court, follow us on Instagram (@krtribunal), Twitter (@krtribunal), and Facebook, and go to our website, www.eccc.gov.kh.
Thank you.
Emma Loffler, Public Affairs