The Khmer Rouge Tribunal: What a joke!

The Khmer Rouge Trial  (you can access the English version here) that is underway in Cambodia has recently detained many people suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes. One of those people is torture leader Duch. Apparently, he has been detained by police since 1999 and has since been held in prison in Cambodia. Now that he is finally appearing before court, his defence lawyers are seeking bail on the foundation that his human rights have been violated as a result of his long detention in prision while awaitng trial. He is set to appear…Wait a sec. Did I read that right? He wants to talk about human rights violation? Seriously? He, who has tortured and killed almost 1.7 million Cambodians during a few short years, wants to talk about human rights violation? You gotta be kidding, right?
No, it’s no joke. Well, the idea itself is a joke, but I’m not kidding you. It’s true.

His defense lawyers argued that Duch’s human rights were being violated by his long detention and he should be freed on bail…

But his prosecutors are saying Duch is:

 …a “flight risk” and urged the court to keep him behind bars - for his own safety and in the interest of public order.
If Duch were released he could be harmed both by “accomplices wishing to silence him and by the relatives of victims seeking revenge,” Robert Petit, a prosecutor from Canada, told the court.
Petit added that “the entire public order (could) be jeopardized” if the aging Khmer Rouge official were freed.

 Well, duh. A man who is being put on trial for what he and the rest of the world knows is a serious offence is hardly going to stick around for everyone to discover the truth, now is he?
Another point, the families of those who he has murdered is most likely going to want some revenge, right? Hell, I sure would. So, I think the prosecutors have a point. No bail should be granted. It would be a stupid thing to do and it’s just simply not fair.

For him to claim that his human rights have been violated really makes me see red. He believes that during the Khmer Rouge regime he simply had to follow orders otherwise he, too, would die. What a  load of crap. You can follow orders, but you needn’t kill 1.7 million of your fellow countrymen! Ladies and gentleman, that to me, is not called following orders. To suggest such a ludicrous idea, makes me believe that perhaps there is no punishment suited better to this man than the death penalty (despite my severe aversion to the idea).

The idea of justice in some cases such as this, is merely an illusion. Justice can never be done. People who have died cannot live again. People who have had families exterminated cannot bring them back to life. People who have survived can never escape their nightmares. So what is this justice that they are seeking? It is nothing more than an illusive dream.
The perpetrators of these crimes are in their old age. Just look at the leader himself, Pol Pot. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty something. He died in his sleep, as peacefully as they come. The other perpetrators are well in their sixties and seventies, what purpose is their prosecuting them? Certainly, not in order to obtain justice. Definitely not. They have lived their lives. They have propsered, they have had the chance to do all the things in their lives that none of their victims could. That is not justice.

Perhaps the media simply uses the term justice for a better lack of word. But justice just seems to make a mockery of the whole ordeal. Perhaps they are simply trying to bring closure to all people involved. Perhaps it is not justice that they seek, but truth.

Love for sale

Recently, I stumbled upon a website for the The Center of Social Development program run in Cambodia. I’d have to say that it impressed me somewhat, in both content and presentation. It seems to be fairly well run and there’s not a grammatical or spelling error to be had in sight. An amazing fete in itself.
I was particularly impressed with their Voice of Justice program, a sort of outreach program aimed to teach Cambodians of the nature of justice and that perhaps it does exist in Cambodia. All hope is not lost yet, people.

I was extremely impassioned by an article written by the executive director, Theary C. Seng, on the ever present issue of prostitution and women’s rights. As most will know, or those that are familiar with the country, prostitution is a major issue within the country. The original article can be found here.
Ms. Seng’s article moved me deeply, but it’s not something that I haven’t heard or seen before. It’s an issue that concerns me as much as Ms. Seng.  In her article, she suggested that an ideal Khmer woman:

…need not be the deferential, submissive, homely, soft-spoken, well-mannered, long-haired, almond-eyed Asian mannequin of society.

Well, done. I couldn’t agree more. Undoubtedly, this definition of a woman should not, and does not apply merely to Khmer women, but all women in general.
Women in Cambodian society are so suppressed, their very freedom is hinged upon their male guardian. This may be their father or their husband, perhaps in some cases also their brothers.
Now, as a young woman living in the twenty first century, enjoying all of the ideals and freedom affordable by living in a developed country, I find this issue difficult to swallow.

It saddens me that young girls are selling their bodies in order for their family to survive, or in cruel cases, where families sell their daughters to better their life. What kind of world is this? What happened to equality for women? What happened to women’s right? Somewhere along the line, the movement that brought about change to women’s rights, somehow missed little Cambodia. It merely skimmed over the country, leaving a legacy of abuse to continue.

But in a culture where men keep many wives and mistresses, it seems that society has accepted its fate. With power there is always corruption, powerful men will corrupt. Consequently, in a country where men have the upper hand, a woman’s life may depend on a man’s mercy. Sometimes, it is dangerous to refuse. There is a fine line that khmer women tread. To be caught involved with another woman’s husband will usually lead to acid-attacks upon her person. On the other hand, to refuse the man, she may find herself dead in a vengeful attack of a lover spurned. Dilemma?

Since when did Cambodia start accepting the idea of 60-year old men with 16-year old girls? It sickens me to think about it. It’s cruel to destroy a young girl’s life by subjecting her to the sex trade. I don’t condone it and I never will.
The sad truth is that even though media reports of caucasian men abusing young khmer girls, the fact of the matter is that most abuse is done by Cambodian men.

But in a situation such as this, everyone is a victim. Khmer women must find the strength to stand up for themselves. They need to make a stand, however difficult it is. There must be change, however slow. Men need to change their attitude towards women. We have desires, emotions and needs, too. It is a long road to change, but the first steps must be, will be, and are being made. There is hope still.

Putting Cambodia on the world map

A little background and history
Located in South-East Asia, surrounded by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam and facing the Gulf of Thailand is a small country that might otherwise be forgotten.
Cambodia.

This small country is not particularly known to the Western World. In fact, I have come across individuals who have asked me “What’s Cambodia?” Clueless.
But this small country has been through so much hell that its little wonder that it hasn’t just given up and vanished.
Its neighbour, Vietnam, is more well known in global communities. The Americans involvement in the Vietnam War put Vietnam on the map in no time. However, it is estimated that almost two million people died in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime when Pol Pot ruled the country. But no one knows about it. Well, who needs to know about Cambodia? After all, the US were never involved in it. Apart from the fact that they drobbed bombs on the country!
During the war, Cambodia practically disappeared off the map. No one has ever heard of little Cambodia. When asked about whether they have heard of the country, most will reply “Oh yeah, Cambodia. Right. I’ve seen that movie! The Killing Fields, right?”
Idiots.

My Adventures to Cambodia
During the course of many years, I have visited Cambodia in total of three times. Each of which has been a vast learning experience for me. Next month, I’m planning another trip over there. As you will soon discover, a lot of my weblog will be dedicated to this country close to my heart.
This country never fails to amaze me. From its corruption infested officials to the glories of the Angkor Wat, I find that each time I am there, I am humbled.

My next adventure there will last three months. I’m quite excited. I plan to go traveling around the country, from dirt covered province to dirt covered province. Perhaps there I shall report back on the interesting finds that I come across. Oh, the stories you’ll be hearing! I’m excited just thinking about it.

Perhaps what Cambodia needs is a fan. I intend to be that fan. Maybe I shall find other fans, and together we will rule the country and begin our reign of world domination!
Or not. One can dream. No?
I’ll leave you with this idylic photo of Cambodia to soften your heart

Oh, Angkor, when will you see your former glory days again? Perhaps when all those who leech onto you are D-E-A-D (that spells dead, by the way).