Khmer Rouge
I try not to think about the Khmer Rouge period too much while I’m here, because if makes me feel uneasy. It’s hard though, because signs are everywhere.
Walking down the street a few weeks ago I saw an older man. I wondered what his story was. Did his family flee across the border? Was he Khmer Rouge? How many of his family members survived?
I found myself getting too deep into questions. How did that family gain wealth? How did they lose it?
There are so many stories of family divisions and alliances built from that period – and now can make or break business deals.
I still don’t understand in depth the period, but I know that being part of the Khmer Rouge isn’t as simple as bad vs. good. The circumstances were complicated – factors like the role of the government, your status in a village and of course, individual choice, all play a part. Perhaps at the time, the line between aggressor and civilian was deeper. But in the end they were all Khmer, and afterwards everyone had to move on and find some sort of life.
The tribunals to try accused Khmer Rouge only started a few weeks ago. Case #1 is being addressed but it has been put on hold. Already. I found out in my first week I was here that that was open to the public. There is even a Facebook group. I was interested to go, to witness a piece of history, but also to try and understand what happened. The tribunal has been delayed to some point later in the year. Trial Number One – delayed.
I wonder how much longer justice can be delayed?
posted by Jess @ 10:00 PM
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