ASIA/CAMBODIA - Process soon to be opened for leaders of the “Khmer Rouge”

Phnom Penh (Agenzia Fides) – Decisive moments are approaching in the history of Cambodia: the legal process of the leaders of the “Khmer Rouge,” the group led by dictator Pol Pot, that controlled Cambodia from 1976-79. Thousand of Cambodians have survived experiences in the concentration camps established by the Khmer Rouge and they recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the fall of Pol Pot's regime, which is accused of having been responsible for the deaths of nearly 1.7 million people.
The nation, led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has led the country for 23 years, has reached a difficult moment in “historical memory,” through the legal process of 5 former leaders of the Communist regime, who will be processed by a special court organized by the United nations. After years of talks between the Cambodian government and the United Nations, the Tribunal was established in 2004 and is formed by 17 Cambodian judges and 13 foreigners. The process will begin in February.
On trial will be: Kaing Guek Eav, alias “Douch”, 66 years of age, who led the Tuol Sleng Center (S-21) in Phnom Penh, where over 12,380 men, women, and children were tortured and put to death; Khieu Samphan, 77 years of age, one of the leaders of the Khmer Rouge with contacts outside the country; Nuon Chea, 82 year of age, former “number two” in the regime, considered the ideologist, supposedly responsible for the greatest number of crimes; Ieng Sary, 83 years of age, former “number three” and Foreign Minister for the Khmer Rouge, accused of genocide; Ieng Thirith, 76 years of age, wife of Ieng Sary and former Minister of Social Affairs in the Khmer Rouge regime.
The process will present the opportunity to relive the dramatic events, placing an end to an era in which the Western nations and Communist nations have boycotted every attempt made to bring the criminals to justice. After decades in which a deaf ear was turned to the various international organizations and Cambodian cries for justice, the international community has agreed to recognize and reopen this dark page in the history of Cambodia.
The people of Cambodia are divided as to how to react to this painful operation. The Catholic Church has always preached “reconciliation in truth and justice,” accepting the initiation of the process. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/1/2009)