After Heartbreaking Testimony from a Child Survivor of S-21, Duch Denies He Was a Prisoner There

  • by Laura MacDonald, Member of the New York Bar and Consultant to the Center for International Human Rights, Northwestern University School of Law
  • — 2 Jul, 2009

Today, the Trial Chamber heard testimony from 39 year old Norng Chan Phal, the fourth Tuol Sleng prison (S-21) survivor to testify in the trial of prison chief Kaing Guek Eav (alias Duch). The Chamber had scheduled two witnesses for today anticipating Chan Phal’s testimony would be brief since he was so young during his time at S-21. However, evidentiary matters and an unexpected denial from Duch complicated his testimony leaving no time for another witness to be called. While a common response from Chan Phal was “I do not remember because I was too young,” he also provided a great deal of interesting testimony.

Earlier this year, Chan Phal missed the filing deadline to become a civil party. When he finally came forward, civil party lawyers requested that the deadline be extended to allow his application, but the request was denied. Therefore, today he appeared only as a fact witness and will not take part in any reparations that the Chamber may award with its final verdict…

Read more: ctm_blog_7-2-2009

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