Meeting With Survivors of the Cambodian Genocide
Late last month I had the fortune to attend an event in Philadelphia held by the Applied Social Research Institute of Cambodia. As an organization ASRIC seeks social peace and health for Cambodians affected directly and indirectly by the Khmer Rouge regime. In line with the mission of 3 Generations, ASRIC believes sharing their personal stories of survival as a vital step towards the catharsis, healing, and strengthening of the entire Cambodian community. In the coming months 3 Generations will be teaming with ASRIC to produce a series of short videos, telling the personal stories of a portion of these survivors.
This meeting in Philadelphia was part of a series of events ASRIC is holding regarding the trials of Khmer Rouge officials currently taking place in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). For the first time Cambodians in America will have the opportunity to document evidence to submit to the Court and have their stories heard.
Unlike trials at the ICC at the Hague, these trials at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) take place in a hybrid court; the Cambodian government participates in the trials though the court is supposedly held to international standards. Currently five people are on trial; these are senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge deemed the most responsible from April 17 1975 to January 6 1979. The first trial, that of Duch, started in March 2009. The testimonies ASRIC is currently collecting will be used for Trial 2, that of the other 4 defendants.
Though there have already been issues raised against the ECCC and allegations of corruption, ASRIC (which is not affiliated with either the Cambodian government or the ECCC) nonetheless says the trial is a valuable process. Holding at least these 5 officials accountable strengthens the rule of law in Cambodia. It educates Cambodian youth (many of whom deny a genocide even occurred) and discourages a culture of impunity in Cambodia.
The importance of sharing their stories seems clear. From the research ASRIC has compiled it is evident that PTSD symptoms affect the Cambodian community in America even 30+ years after resettlement. Survivors continue to speak of feelings of hopelessness about the future, a lack of trust in other people, social isolation, feeling as if they are stuck in a time warp, constant worrying and a lack of belonging.
Thus ASRIC has travelled to major cities on the east and west coasts to meet with survivors and inform them about the role they can play in the upcoming trial. If the survivors choose to do so, ASRIC has them write a narrative about what took place from April 17 1975 to January 6 1979. As many of the survivors are illiterate, they are helped by volunteers to write their story. It is an emotionally grueling process for both the survivors and volunteers. Many have suppressed these memories and this is the first time they have ever spoken about it.
At the Philadelphia meeting I witnessed, at first the survivors were reluctant to participate. Only one person raised their hand when asked who would file their testimony. The remaining voiced concerns – if they give testimony will they be safe to travel back to Cambodia after the hearing? Will their family and friends still in Cambodia be safe? How is it certain the government will even uphold any agreement that is reached? Will the Court safeguard their information?
Then a survivor stood up and gave an impassioned speech. In his mind the trial is not about the possible reparations that will be paid – it is about the fact that some people are responsible and that survivors must leave their legacy to their children and grandchildren and teach them so that this will never happen again. He says they must empower themselves by speaking up, by telling their story. They have no control over the court proceedings but they do have some control over their lives – by telling their story they can help to stop their own suffering?
As he sat down, more and more survivors raised their hands to share their personal story. Later each was paired with an ASRIC volunteer and the recording of the testimonies began. These will later be sent to the ECCC for use in the trials. Copies of the testimonies will also be available in the NYU library, so that people may learn from the stories in the future.
3 Generations is proud to be partnering with survivors of the Cambodian genocide and ASRIC to record these important stories. For more information on the Cambodian genocide and stories of survivors please visit our website.