Estimates of exactly how many Cambodians lost their lives between 1975 and 1979 vary widely, but the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) indicates that at least 1.7 million people reportedly died from torture, execution, starvation, and unrelated illness during that time.[2] I attended the Court this morning for the third day of Trial 002, and listened via translators as Ieng Sary and Khieu Samphan read opening statements declaring their ignorance to the events, and therefore innocence. If only a declaration were so simple for survivors and their descendants to ameliorate years of guilt, pain and loss.
Yesterday, the UBELONG team took part in a truly unique workshop with a group of brave Cambodians at the STAR Kampuchea[3] offices where we unpacked some of the tough issues facing Cambodia today. As we moved deeper into the day, the group began to touch on the Khmer Rouge genocide. Given that most of the young Cambodians had literally never discussed the topics before, there were tense moments that elicited strong reactions. In the late 1990’s, it was found that 28% of Cambodians suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder[4], and it is no surprise that in a country where today logistical and cultural obstacles outstrip proper psychological treatment options, conversations sharing the traumas of the past are essential. Organizations like the Documentation Center of Cambodia[5], arguably the only one of its kind in Cambodia, are helping tell the stories to bring justice and memory closer together. Our team visited their office this week, and it was a privilege for me to learn more of Director Youk Chhang’s struggle to channel his anger productively enough to recently come face to face with the very people who imprisoned and tortured him as a teenage boy.
I have learned a great deal of courage this week from people who did not for one second foresee the terrible atrocities they would face and live through. The fact is that Cambodians have a mandate to rebuild at whatever cost, and that process takes time. I believe it is not so important that it be a process of superficially rebuilding, but rather one of sharing, seeking, asking tough questions, offering brave answers, and going to the dark corners of the past in order to clearly see the path ahead.
[1] Source: www.merriam-webster.com
[2] Public Affairs Section, ECCC: An Introduction to The Khmer Rouge Trials: 4th Ed.
[3] STAR Kampuchea is a Cambodian non-profit established in 1997 specializing in democracy and the development of Cambodian civil society. http://www.vacambodia.org/star_kampuchea.htm
[4] Munyas, B.(2008): Genocide in the minds of Cambodian youth: Transmitting (hi)stories of genocide to second and third generations in Cambodia. Journal of Genocide Research, 10:3, 413-439.
[5] The DC-Cam is dedicated to memory and justice for victims of the Khmer Rouge genocide. The organization has documented thousands of written and videotaped testimonies. http://www.dccam.org/
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