Mr. Weiss The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 1979 The Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979, in which...

Mr. Weiss

The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 1979http://www.yale.edu/cgp/

The Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979, in which The Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979, in which approximately 1.7 to 2.0 million people lost their approximately 1.7 to 2.0 million people lost their lives (21% of the country's population), was one lives (21% of the country's population), was one of the worst human tragedies of the last century. of the worst human tragedies of the last century. As in Nazi Germany, and more recently in East As in Nazi Germany, and more recently in East Timor, Guatemala, Yugoslavia, and Rwanda, the Timor, Guatemala, Yugoslavia, and Rwanda, the Khmer Rouge regime headed by Pol Pot Khmer Rouge regime headed by Pol Pot combined extremist ideology with ethnic combined extremist ideology with ethnic animosity and a diabolical disregard for human animosity and a diabolical disregard for human life to produce repression, misery, and murder on life to produce repression, misery, and murder on a massive scale. a massive scale.

Mr. Weiss

Major Major Genocides of Genocides of

the 20the 20thth Century – Century –

The Century The Century of Genocideof Genocide

Convention on thePrevention and Punishmentof the Crime of Genocide

Adopted by Resolution 260 (III) A of the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1948.

Article 1The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish.

Article 2In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

(a) Killing members of the group; (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Mr. Weiss

GenocideGenocide

There are four kinds of people in every genocide:

1. Perpetrators:Perpetrators: people committing genocide

2. Victims:Victims: the people who the perpetrators are committing acts of genocide on

3. Bystanders:Bystanders: the people who stand by and just watch the genocide.

4. Upstanders:Upstanders: the people who stand up to the perpetrators and try to stop the genocide. (One of the key questions is how do we turn bystanders into upstanders.)

Dr. Roger Smith

Mr. Weiss

The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 1979

Cambodia traditionally has suffered from ethnic Cambodia traditionally has suffered from ethnic rivalry between the substantial Vietnamese rivalry between the substantial Vietnamese minority and the Buddhist Khmer majority. minority and the Buddhist Khmer majority.

1953 – Independence - Prince Norodom Sihanouk 1953 – Independence - Prince Norodom Sihanouk took charge of the newly born state. took charge of the newly born state.

1970 - A revolution led by General Lon Nol 1970 - A revolution led by General Lon Nol temporarily dispelled the government. They temporarily dispelled the government. They attempted to suppress the Communist and attempted to suppress the Communist and Vietnamese presence. Vietnamese presence.

1975 - Small Communist group, the Khmer Rouge, 1975 - Small Communist group, the Khmer Rouge, grew in popularity and was able to take over, grew in popularity and was able to take over, proclaiming the Republic of Democratic proclaiming the Republic of Democratic Kampuchea.Kampuchea.

http://www.cambodiangenocide.org/genocide.htm

Mr. Weiss

The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 19791975 to 1978 – a campaign of “cleansing” 1975 to 1978 – a campaign of “cleansing”

by The Kampuchean Communist Partyby The Kampuchean Communist Party

They required destruction of cities and They required destruction of cities and the foreign-educated elite in order to the foreign-educated elite in order to rustify, or to make rural, the country. rustify, or to make rural, the country.

The goal was a centralized communal The goal was a centralized communal organization of atheistic factory workers organization of atheistic factory workers and peasant farmers free of external and peasant farmers free of external support. support.

Cities were raided and people relocated Cities were raided and people relocated to communal farms. Most people were to communal farms. Most people were left to starve or work to deathleft to starve or work to death. .

http://www.cambodiangenocide.org/genocide.htm

Mr. Weiss


Duch, head of Duch, head of the Tuol Sleng the Tuol Sleng prison complex, prison complex, was a former was a former schoolteacher schoolteacher named Kang named Kang Kech EavKech Eav

Comrade Comrade Duch Duch

(pronounce(pronounced Doik),d Doik),

Mr. Weiss


DuchDuch - His Status Today: (2007) context : context : Cambodia Cambodia

judgment judgment place : place : Cambodia Cambodia

status : status : IndictedIndicted

particulars : particulars : Awaiting trial before the Awaiting trial before the Extraordinary Chambers for the Extraordinary Chambers for the crimes committed by the Khmer crimes committed by the Khmer rouge in Cambodiarouge in Cambodia

position : position : Director of the Tuol Sleng Director of the Tuol Sleng detention and torture centerdetention and torture center

http://www.trial-ch.org/en/trial-watch/profile/db/facts/duch__313.html

Mr. Weiss


The exhumation of the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek in 1980 by the People's Republic of Kampuchea was one of the first concrete proofs to the outside world that something terrible had happened in Democratic Kampuchea. Photograph by Ben Kiernan, 1980

Mr. Weiss


Khmer Rouge Prisoners – Almost All Prisoners Died

Mr. Weiss


Young Khmer Young Khmer Rouge soldiers Rouge soldiers

in 1975.in 1975.

Cambodian Cambodian people leaving people leaving Phnom Penh Phnom Penh after Khmer after Khmer Rouge forces Rouge forces

seized and seized and emptied the emptied the Cambodian Cambodian

capital on the 17 capital on the 17 April 1975. April 1975. AFP AFP

PHOTO/Agence PHOTO/Agence Khmere de PresseKhmere de Presse

Mr. Weiss


Map of Map of AsiaAsia

CamboCambodiadia

Mr. Weiss


Map of Cambodia

Map of Southeast AsiaPhom Penh - Phom Penh - CapitalCapital

Mr. Weiss

The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 1979The Killing Fields (The Killing Fields (1984))

Sydney Schanberg is a New York Sydney Schanberg is a New York Times journalist covering the Times journalist covering the

civil war in Cambodia. Together civil war in Cambodia. Together with local representative Dith with local representative Dith Pran, they cover some of the Pran, they cover some of the

tragedy and madness of the war. tragedy and madness of the war. When the Americans forces leave, When the Americans forces leave,

Dith Pran sends his family with Dith Pran sends his family with them, but stays behind himself to them, but stays behind himself to help Schanberg cover the event. help Schanberg cover the event.

As an American, Schanberg won't As an American, Schanberg won't have any trouble leaving the have any trouble leaving the country, but the situation is country, but the situation is

different for Pran; he's a local, different for Pran; he's a local, and the Khmer Rouge are moving and the Khmer Rouge are moving

in. in.

Mr. Weiss

The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 1979S21 The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine (2002)S21 The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine (2002)

In 1975-79, the Khmer Rouge waged a campaign In 1975-79, the Khmer Rouge waged a campaign of genocide on Cambodia's population. 1.7 of genocide on Cambodia's population. 1.7 million Cambodians lost their lives to famine & million Cambodians lost their lives to famine & murder as the urban population was forced into murder as the urban population was forced into the countryside to fulfill the Khmer Rouges' the countryside to fulfill the Khmer Rouges' dream of an agrarian utopia. In S21, Panh brings dream of an agrarian utopia. In S21, Panh brings two survivors back to the notorious Tuol Sleng two survivors back to the notorious Tuol Sleng prison (code-named "S21"), now a genocide prison (code-named "S21"), now a genocide museum where former Khmer Rouge are museum where former Khmer Rouge are employed as guides. Painter Vann Nath confronts employed as guides. Painter Vann Nath confronts his former captors in the converted schoolhouse his former captors in the converted schoolhouse where he was tortured, though by chance he did where he was tortured, though by chance he did not suffer the fate of most of the other 17,000 not suffer the fate of most of the other 17,000 men, women & children who were taken there, men, women & children who were taken there, their "crimes" meticulously documented to justify their "crimes" meticulously documented to justify their execution. The ex-Khmer Rouge guards their execution. The ex-Khmer Rouge guards respond to Nath's provocations with excuses, respond to Nath's provocations with excuses, chilling stoicism or apparent remorse as they chilling stoicism or apparent remorse as they recount the atrocities they committed at ages as recount the atrocities they committed at ages as young as 12 years old. To escape torture, the young as 12 years old. To escape torture, the prisoners would confess to anything, & often prisoners would confess to anything, & often denounce everyone they knew, though their final denounce everyone they knew, though their final sentence was never in doubt.sentence was never in doubt.

Mr. Weiss


Ex-Khmer Rouge minister arrested in CambodiaEx-Khmer Rouge minister arrested in Cambodia The Associated Press Sunday, November 11, 2007

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Ieng Sary, who served as foreign minister in Cambodia's brutal Khmer Rouge regime, was brought before the country's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal with his wife on Monday to face charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Mr. Weiss

The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 1979Apology at genocide trial – April Apology at genocide trial – April

1, 20091, 2009Cambodian is accused of role in Khmer Cambodian is accused of role in Khmer RougeRougeThe man accused of being the The man accused of being the

Khmer Rouge's chief torturer put Khmer Rouge's chief torturer put down his prepared speech, removed down his prepared speech, removed his eyeglasses and gazed at the his eyeglasses and gazed at the courtroom audience Tuesday as he courtroom audience Tuesday as he pleaded for forgiveness from the pleaded for forgiveness from the country he helped terrorize three country he helped terrorize three decades ago.decades ago."At the beginning I only prayed to "At the beginning I only prayed to ask for forgiveness from my parents, ask for forgiveness from my parents, but later I prayed to ask forgiveness but later I prayed to ask forgiveness from the whole nation," Kaing Guek from the whole nation," Kaing Guek Eav (pronounced "Gang Geck Ee-Eav (pronounced "Gang Geck Ee-uu") -- better known as Duch uu") -- better known as Duch ("Doik") -- recounted on the second ("Doik") -- recounted on the second day of his trial before Cambodia's day of his trial before Cambodia's genocide tribunalgenocide tribunal..

Mr. Weiss

The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 1979Apology at genocide trial – April Apology at genocide trial – April

1, 20091, 2009Cambodian is accused of role in Khmer Cambodian is accused of role in Khmer RougeRougeThe tribunal's proceedings are the first serious The tribunal's proceedings are the first serious attempt to fix responsibility for the deaths of an attempt to fix responsibility for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians from estimated 1.7 million Cambodians from starvation, medical neglect, slave-like working starvation, medical neglect, slave-like working conditions and execution under the 1975-79 rule conditions and execution under the 1975-79 rule of the Khmer Rouge, whose top leader, Pol Pot, of the Khmer Rouge, whose top leader, Pol Pot, died in 1998.died in 1998.Duch, 66, is charged with war crimes and crimes Duch, 66, is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as murder and torture against humanity as well as murder and torture and could face a maximum penalty of life in and could face a maximum penalty of life in prison. Cambodia has no death penalty.prison. Cambodia has no death penalty.He commanded the group's main S-21 prison, He commanded the group's main S-21 prison, also known as Tuol Sleng, where as many as also known as Tuol Sleng, where as many as 16,000 men, women and children are believed to 16,000 men, women and children are believed to have been brutalized before being sent to their have been brutalized before being sent to their deathsdeaths..

Mr. Weiss


Cambodia's torture prison survivors Cambodia's torture prison survivors testify at tribunaltestify at tribunal

Updated July 3, 2009 10:56:25Updated July 3, 2009 10:56:25In Cambodia, evidence is being heard against In Cambodia, evidence is being heard against the former head of the notorious Tuol Sleng the former head of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison, Comrade Duch.prison, Comrade Duch.

Only a handful of prisoners survived Tuol Sleng, Only a handful of prisoners survived Tuol Sleng, during the four years of Khmer Rouge rule. during the four years of Khmer Rouge rule. Yesterday, a former child survivor, now aged 39, Yesterday, a former child survivor, now aged 39, cried as he told the Khmer Rouge Tribunal of cried as he told the Khmer Rouge Tribunal of being separated from his mother at the jail.being separated from his mother at the jail.

Mr. Weiss

The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 1979Posted on May 28, 2010

Verdict Nears in Cambodian Genocide Trial – 8:15 – 8:15

Mr. Weiss

The Cambodian Genocide – 1975 - 1979The Phnom Penh PostThe Phnom Penh Post

FRIDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2010 15:02 THOMAS MILLER

Khmer Rouge tribunal staff stand with faculty and students during a court Khmer Rouge tribunal staff stand with faculty and students during a court outreach event.outreach event.

KKHMER Rouge tribunal officials yesterday told a standing-room-only HMER Rouge tribunal officials yesterday told a standing-room-only auditorium of roughly 350 students at the Royal University of Law and auditorium of roughly 350 students at the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh that they should learn from JulyEconomics in Phnom Penh that they should learn from July’’s verdict in the s verdict in the case of Tuol Sleng prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, as they work to case of Tuol Sleng prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, as they work to strengthen Cambodiastrengthen Cambodia’’s judicial system.s judicial system.

““What is important for you to remember What is important for you to remember –– and this is probably my most and this is probably my most important lesson for you today important lesson for you today –– you are the judicial reform, you are the judicial reform,”” said Knut said Knut Rosandhaug, deputy director of administration at the tribunal. Rosandhaug, deputy director of administration at the tribunal. ““If you donIf you don’’t t do it, nobody will.do it, nobody will.””

On July 26, the Trial Chamber found Duch guilty of war crimes On July 26, the Trial Chamber found Duch guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 30 years in and crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 30 years in prison, a sum that took into consideration his unlawful pretrial prison, a sum that took into consideration his unlawful pretrial detention.detention.

Mr. Weiss



February 8, 2012The Khmer Rouge's Perfect VillainThe Khmer Rouge's Perfect VillainBy THIERRY CRUVELLIERBy THIERRY CRUVELLIERInternational criminal courts usually begin their work International criminal courts usually begin their work with a mid-ranking defendant and impose a heavy with a mid-ranking defendant and impose a heavy sentence after their first conviction. The war crimes sentence after their first conviction. The war crimes tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia were tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia were the first to do so.the first to do so.On Friday, the appeals chamber of the Extraordinary On Friday, the appeals chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia — a mixed tribunal Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia — a mixed tribunal based in Phnom Penh and tasked with trying the worst based in Phnom Penh and tasked with trying the worst offenders of the Pol Pot regime — followed in their offenders of the Pol Pot regime — followed in their footsteps: it imposed a life sentence on Kaing Guek Eav, footsteps: it imposed a life sentence on Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, the 69-year-old former commander also known as Duch, the 69-year-old former commander of the Khmer Rouge’s infamous S-21 prison in Phnom of the Khmer Rouge’s infamous S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, where between 1975 and 1979 more than 12,000 Penh, where between 1975 and 1979 more than 12,000 people were detained, tortured and sent for execution. people were detained, tortured and sent for execution. This decision brought the appeals process to a close This decision brought the appeals process to a close after Duch’s 2010 conviction for war crimes and crimes after Duch’s 2010 conviction for war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentencing to 30 years in prison.against humanity and sentencing to 30 years in prison.

Mr. Weiss



Nuon Chea is Nuon Chea is viewed as the viewed as the

chief ideologue chief ideologue of the movementof the movement

Khmer Rouge leaders facing trialKhmer Rouge leaders facing trialA UN-backed genocide tribunal in A UN-backed genocide tribunal in

Cambodia is set to begin its Cambodia is set to begin its second trial, this time of the top-second trial, this time of the top-most leaders of the Khmer Rouge most leaders of the Khmer Rouge

regime.regime.

Up to two million people were Up to two million people were killed or starved to death under killed or starved to death under Khmer Rouge rule in the 1970s.Khmer Rouge rule in the 1970s.Three main leaders - Nuon Chea, Three main leaders - Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan and Ieng Sary - Khieu Samphan and Ieng Sary - will be in court. Another, Ieng will be in court. Another, Ieng Thirith, has been found incapable Thirith, has been found incapable of standing trial because of ill of standing trial because of ill health.health.

18 November 2011

Mr. Weiss



2 Khmer Rouge Leaders Are Convicted in 2 Khmer Rouge Leaders Are Convicted in CambodiaCambodia

Soum Rithy, center, who lost his father and three siblings during the Khmer Soum Rithy, center, who lost his father and three siblings during the Khmer Rouge regime, hugged another survivor after the verdict was delivered.Rouge regime, hugged another survivor after the verdict was delivered.DAMIR SAGOLJ / REUTERSDAMIR SAGOLJ / REUTERS

Mr. Weiss



By THOMAS FULLER and JULIA WALLACE - AUGUST 6, 2014AUGUST 6, 2014PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — A court on Thursday found the two PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — A court on Thursday found the two most senior surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge, which brutalized most senior surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge, which brutalized Cambodia during the 1970s, guilty of crimes against humanity and Cambodia during the 1970s, guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced them to life in prison.sentenced them to life in prison.The chief judge, Nil Nonn, said the court found that there had been The chief judge, Nil Nonn, said the court found that there had been a “widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population a “widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Cambodia” and that the two men had been part of a “joint of Cambodia” and that the two men had been part of a “joint criminal enterprise” that bore responsibility. They were convicted of criminal enterprise” that bore responsibility. They were convicted of murder and extermination, among other crimes.murder and extermination, among other crimes.More than 1.7 million people died under the rule of the Khmer More than 1.7 million people died under the rule of the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979.Rouge from 1975 to 1979.The proceedings of the tribunal, a joint effort of the Cambodian The proceedings of the tribunal, a joint effort of the Cambodian government and the United Nations, have been criticized for government and the United Nations, have been criticized for being extremely belated and for covering only a narrow sliver of the being extremely belated and for covering only a narrow sliver of the Khmer Rouge’s crimes. The judgments against the two men — Nuon Khmer Rouge’s crimes. The judgments against the two men — Nuon Chea, 88, and Khieu Samphan, 83 — were the first handed down Chea, 88, and Khieu Samphan, 83 — were the first handed down against the Khmer Rouge leadership, although a lower-ranking against the Khmer Rouge leadership, although a lower-ranking official, who ran a notorious prison for the regime in Phnom Penh, official, who ran a notorious prison for the regime in Phnom Penh, was convicted in 2010. Both defendants will appeal, their lawyers was convicted in 2010. Both defendants will appeal, their lawyers said.said.

Mr. Weiss



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