Yet, after the curtain separating the audience from the accused drifted open, this atmosphere of anticipation was quickly dissipated as the arguments of defense lawyers became absurd – comparing the trial to French literature and levels of chaos during the Khmer Rouge regime to post-Katrina looting in New Orleans. The prosecution – while less prominent on this day than the defense – similarly added an air of theatricality to its questions for the opposition.
Throughout these opening statements that were rarely clear or coherent, I felt myself fixating on the brochure in my lap, which listed the amount of money spent each year for the tribunal: an overwhelming total exceeding 143 million dollars as of August 31, 2011.[1] As I listened to these statements, juxtaposed with this incredulous budget, I wondered if it couldn’t be better spent. Rather than funding the system so that five elderly accused may spend their few final years in jail, wouldn’t it be better to contribute to the future of Cambodia through victim reparations and community development? Instead of seeking retributive justice for a few, could that money build reconciliation for many? From the Cambodians with whom we’ve spoken, there is little belief that the ECCC can bring justice for the survivors of the Khmer Rouge or should be the answer to Cambodia’s persistent socioeconomic woes. When we asked one survivor about his feelings of the ECCC and his captors, he answered, “I cannot forgive, but what can I do?” For him and so many others like him, Cambodia needs justice and this court – called an “irredeemable political farce” by Theary Seng – will surely not achieve it.[1] http://www.eccc.gov.kh/sites/default/files/5-ECCC%20Combined%20Contributions%20Table_Updated%20as%20of%20August%202011.pdf
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